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POLL: Which Chiefs position group improved most in 2023 NFL offseason?

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POLL: Which Chiefs position group improved most in 2023 NFL offseason?


In just a short amount of time following Super Bowl LVII, the Kansas City Chiefs roster has been transformed ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

This year’s free agency period saw several veteran contributors depart, ranging from a former trade acquisition like Orlando Brown Jr. to former draft picks in Mecole Hardman and Juan Thornhill. It also saw some exciting additions such as Jawaan Taylor, Charles Omenihu, Drue Tranquill, Richie James and Donovan Smith.

The team found several new pieces in the 2023 NFL draft, making key additions at positions of need throughout all seven rounds. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Rashee Rice and Wanya Morris are sure to have expectations attached to their draft status, but history has shown that you can’t count out the late-round picks with Brett Veach as general manager.

The team even seems to have found an undrafted free agent gem in Deneric Prince, who has taken an outsized helping of first-team repetitions during the offseason program.

Change doesn’t always mean improvement in the NFL, but the Chiefs are bound to have improved the overall quality and depth of talent of at least one position group during the 2023 NFL offseason. Which position group in Kansas City do you believe is the most improved?

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In this writer’s humble opinion, the offensive and defensive trenches are the most obvious groups.

The offensive tackle position, for instance, feels like it has vastly improved with Andrew Wylie and Brown Jr. leading the NFL in pressures by an offensive tackle duo last season. Taylor, Smith and Morris all seem to fit the prototype that the Chiefs have been lacking since Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz retired — athletic pass protectors with plus movement skills.

As for the defensive line, K.C. scooped a chess piece for Steve Spagnuolo in Omenihu. They added the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year in Anudike-Uzomah, plus some key role-players in B.J. Thompson and Keondre Coburn. At the very least, it’s an infusion of young talent not unlike what the team accomplished in the secondary a season ago.

So what do you think, Chiefs Kingdom? Which Chiefs position group has improved the most this offseason? Vote in the poll atop the page and let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.





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Caitlin Clark sits with Taylor Swift at Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans NFL playoff

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Caitlin Clark sits with Taylor Swift at Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans NFL playoff


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Caitlin Clark has never been shy about her Kansas City Chiefs fandom, and her superstardom allowed her to enjoy Saturday’s game with coveted company.

The Iowa women’s basketball legend and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year was spotted in the same box as Taylor Swift during the team’s NFL Divisional round playoff game against the Houston Texans.

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According to Chloe Peterson of the Indianapolis Star, Swift invited Clark to the game when Clark attended one of the pop star’s Eras Tour concerts.

Clark and Swift were even caught on camera chatting during the game.

Swift is famously dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is trying to help his team become the first team in NFL history to three-peat as Super Bowl champions.



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Chiefs vs. Texans: Divisional Round Preview, Score Predictions

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Chiefs vs. Texans: Divisional Round Preview, Score Predictions


After a long wait thanks to a first-round bye, Kansas City Chiefs playoff football is officially back. Saturday will see the reigning Super Bowl champions host the Houston Texans, a team they recently faced off against less than a month ago. This time around, the stakes are even higher and both sides will duke it out with a spot in the conference title game on the line.

How will the game unfold? The Kansas City Chiefs On SI crew makes its predictions for the divisional round of the postseason.

Joshua Brisco: Against all recent history, I’m picking the Chiefs to do something they never did in the 2024 regular season: score more than 30 points in a game. This isn’t all about the Chiefs’ playoff experience and pursuit of history, either. The offense — with a healthy Hollywood Brown and a well-rested suite of weapons — finally has enough firepower to make fans forget the slow-and-steady offensive slogs of KC’s midseason survival. I find myself becoming more worried aboutJoe Thuney and Mike Caliendo at left tackle and left guard than most, but Thuney should be stable enough to prevent any disasters. With the return of cornerback Jaylen Watson, the Chiefs may also have the league’s best remaining defense.

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Texans 13

Jordan Foote: With all due respect to DeMeco Ryans and the Texans, we’ve seen this type of game unfold before. Despite Houston boasting a tremendous defense, Kansas City has the benefit when it comes to quarterback play, coaching, rest and playing environment. Add in a fired-up Travis Kelce and the returns of Watson and Chris Jones, and you’ve got a recipe for a win. I’m rolling with another eight-point Chiefs-Texans margin, albeit with the visitors doing some window-dressing late to make things look closer than they actually were.

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Prediction: Chiefs 31, Texans 23

Zack Eisen: Between sitting players in the season’s final week and having the bye, it seems like the Chiefs haven’t played in forever. The good news is the extra time allowed them to get a key piece back in Jaylen Watson. The defense was easily one of the best in the league when he was in the lineup, and it would be great to see that version return for the playoffs. On the other side of the ball, it’s playoff Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid. This may be the first time the Chiefs score more than 30 points all season. I expect a dominant performance from this team, as they have been waiting all year to get to the postseason.

Prediction: Chiefs 35, Texans 16

Mark Van Sickle: The Chiefs tend to dominate the divisional round under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. They are playing an opponent they just beat a few weeks ago and coming off plenty of rest to get ready for this playoff push. The Texans are a solid team and worthy opponent, but there is too much on the line for the Chiefs to lose at home in this spot. The defense will have everyone available to them for the first time all season (Charles Omenihu started the season on injured reserve, then Watson was on it when he came back), and that’s not good for the Texans who have had injury issues all season on offense. Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ offense will be about as healthy as it’s been all season as well. Look for Mahomes to be Mahomes and the Chiefs to win and actually cover the spread!

Prediction: Chiefs 31, Texans 17

Read More: Andy Reid Ensuring Chiefs Are ‘Tunneled In’ Despite Magnitude of Possible Three-Peat



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Oregon loses volleyball coach Matt Ulmer to Kansas, begins national search for new leader

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Oregon loses volleyball coach Matt Ulmer to Kansas, begins national search for new leader


Oregon is on the market for a new volleyball coach.

Matt Ulmer was named the new coach at Kansas on Friday, ending his successful eight-year run as a Duck.

“My staff and I are ready to give our all for the future success of Jayhawk volleyball,” Ulmer was quoted as saying in press release from Kansas. “I’m beyond excited to get to Lawrence and meet the team, start practice and get better every day.

“The past 11 seasons in Eugene have given us memories and relationships that will last forever.”

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Oregon volleyball begins search to replace head coach Matt Ulmer

Oregon assistant Erika Dillard will serve as interim head coach as the athletic department conducts a national search for a new head coach, said Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens in a statement released by the school Friday.

“We look forward to finding a new coach who will build upon the strong foundation in place for our program and provide a world-class student-athlete experience,” Mullens said.

Ulmer guided Oregon volleyball to 7 NCAA Tournament appearances

During his eight seasons as head coach, Ulmer’s teams went 166-77 with seven NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Elite Eight and five Sweet 16s.

Oregon won at least 22 matches in each of the last four seasons, including in 2024 when the Ducks went 24-8 overall, 14-6 in their first season of Big Ten Conference play, and made the Sweet 16. Kansas was 25-5 in 2024 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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“We want to thank Matt for all of his efforts and successful seasons with the Oregon volleyball program,” Mullens said. “We extend our best wishes to him and his family in this next phase of their journey.”

Ulmer accused of pressuring injured player to transfer or medically retire

Ulmer’s time at Oregon also wasn’t without controversy.

He was named head coach in 2017 after the contentious departure of former coach Jim Moore — the program’s all-time leader with 246 wins — who resigned after complaints about his coaching style and despite nearly two dozen former players publicly voicing support for Moore.

Ulmer, who had been on Moore’s staff for three seasons as an assistant coach or associate head coach, was quickly named Moore’s replacement.

In 2022, former player Taylor Williams made allegations that she was played when she wasn’t healthy, misled by Oregon on the severity of her injury, then was pressured and harassed by Ulmer to either transfer or medically retire. Those allegations led to an independent investigation.

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Ducks saw success in 2022, 2023 under Ulmer

On the court in 2022, Ulmer guided the Ducks to a 26-6 record and a 17-3 mark in Pac-12 play to set a program record for conference wins in a season.

Oregon’s postseason run came to an end in a five-set thriller against Louisville in the Elite Eight and the Ducks ended the season ranked No. 7 in the final AVCA poll.

In 2023 the Ducks also finished ranked No. 7 after going 29-6 and making the Elite Eight.

Chris Hansen covers University of Oregon football, men’s basketball, track and field, cross country and softball for The Register-Guard. You can reach him at chansen@registerguard.com and you can follow him on X @chansen_RG



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