Kansas
Three Chiefs Storylines to Watch Throughout the 2024 Season
The Kansas City Chiefs’ season kicks off on Thursday night at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
As the Chiefs begin their quest to three-peat, there are a few storylines to follow throughout the season that impact not only this year but also future ones for Kansas City. Let’s take a look at them.
The Chiefs traded up for Kingsley Suamataia in the second round in the most recent NFL Draft. There was a thought that he was the long-term option to develop into a starting left tackle, but he would have to compete for the job in 2024. Early in training camp, however, it was evident that Suamataia had earned the gig and his coaches’ trust in the earlier offseason programs. He is in an excellent position to succeed early, with Joe Thuney next to him and Patrick Mahomes being one of the best quarterbacks at avoiding sacks.
Suamataia will be Kansas City’s third different starting left tackle in the last three years, but they hope he can be at the spot for years to come. Every offseason since Eric Fisher was released, the Chiefs’ left tackle question has been at the top of the offseason priority list and the front office has spent many resources trying to find an answer. If Suamataia can show that he is or has the potential to become a franchise left tackle, it would be great for Kansas City’s roster building moving forward as they would have him on a rookie deal for years to come.
Steve Spagnuolo has continued to state that the second cornerback spot is still up for grabs and no one has separated from the pack. The Chiefs have brought a Moneyball approach to the cornerback role(s) for years. In Brett Veach’s tenure as general manager, they have only spent one top-100 pick there (Trent McDuffie) and have not paid a corner more than $3 million per year. They have instead trusted Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt to develop and mold players to thrive in the system.
The two years the Chiefs had the best defense during Veach’s time were when they had McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. Sure, Sneed was a Day 3 selection, but that’s not something a team can consistently rely on to find All-Pro-level players. You are likely to find Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, and Rashad Fenton types, players who have had moments in a Chiefs uniform but are probably not consistent starting-caliber options. If the corners continue to be a question or even hurt the team throughout the season, does that force Kansas City to change its approach?
Charles Omenihu may miss more than half the season as he recovers from a torn ACL. Typically, it takes players some time to get their feet wet and look completely comfortable when they return from a major injury. Currently, the Chiefs have George Karlaftis and Mike Danna as the only proven defensive ends on the roster. Kansas City traded for Cameron Thomas before cutdown day to bolster the depth a bit. The Chiefs should manage until Omenihu’s return, but his impact down the stretch and in the playoffs could be pivotal.
Omenihu is also entering the final year of his contract. If he isn’t re-signed, defensive end shoots to the top of the offseason priority list for the Chiefs to address. If he is re-signed, Kansas City can take a more patient and value-based approach as they would have a solid rotation of Karlaftis, Omenihu and Danna again. His play and the Chiefs’ feelings about his recovery could play a significant role in that decision coming up.
Read More: Chiefs vs. Ravens Preview – How KC Can Attack Baltimore in Week 1 Matchup
For the first time since the 2022 AFC playoffs, the Kansas City Chiefs will square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kansas City has a three-game winning streak over Pittsburgh, which includes the aforementioned contest in the Wild Card round of the postseason. This year, both teams have already clinched playoff berths but still have something to play for. The Chiefs, specifically, can get the best Christmas present of all by winning and locking up the one-seed and a first-round bye. A win makes them unreachable to the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers, on the other hand, are looking to maintain their division lead. They hold a conference tiebreaker over the surging Baltimore Ravens but are far from certain to keep that.
Here’s everything you need to know and how you can follow along with the Chiefs as they square off against the Steelers on Wednesday.
Game: Chiefs vs. Steelers
Location: Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Date and Time: Wednesday, December 25 at 12:00 p.m. CT
TV Channel: Netflix or KCTV local
Listen Live: WDAF (106.5 FM) Chiefs Radio Network or Tico Sports (Kansas City) for Spanish radio broadcast
Betting Line: Chiefs -3 (as of Wednesday morning)
This contest’s television broadcast team is highlighted by Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and both J.J. Watt and Nate Burleson (color) in the commentary booth. Melanie Collins and Stacey Dales will serve as the sideline reporters for Week 17’s matchup.
For updates throughout the game and after the action has concluded, including plenty of postgame content, keep it locked in right here at Kansas City Chiefs On SI and follow us on X @ChiefsOnSI, Bluesky @chiefsonsi.com and Facebook at Chiefs Nation for additional coverage, commentary and more.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Read More: Steve Spagnuolo Assesses Christian Roland-Wallace’s Performance in Starting Debut
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – After three full days of searching on land and in area waters, the search for 80-year-old Gary Foster has been put on hold.
The Reno County Sheriff’s Office said Foster’s family decided to postpone the search until after the holidays, when efforts will resume as a recovery mission.
Over the last 72 hours, crews launched a large-scale effort involving over 200 people combing a five-mile radius around where he was last seen. The Kansas Highway Patrol searched the area via aircraft, and Saline County provided a water rescue team and sonar to scan nearby ponds.
The Silver Alert for Foster remains in effect.
Copyright 2024 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas man charged after leading an Osceola, Mo. police officer on a high-speed chase on Highway 13
ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Mo. (KY3) – A Kansas City, Kansas man has been charged after leading Osceola police in a high-speed pursuit while under the influence.
According to court documents, 43-year-old Marvin Ruiz is charged with DWI and resisting arrest.
Court documents show that on December 21, around 5:30 p.m., an Osceola police officer noticed a Jeep driving south on Highway 13 at 110 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone. The officer then pulled out of the median and saw the Jeep go through it and start driving north on Highway 13.
The officer started chasing the suspect, at one point reaching speeds nearing 121 mph. He was then able to stop the car as it tried to turn back around and go south. The officer got out of his patrol car and drew his gun as he approached the Jeep.
According to court documents, the officer saw Ruiz behind the wheel and noticed his eyes were bloodshot and in a daze.
Moments later, Ruiz put the Jeep in reverse, almost causing several accidents before driving south in the northbound lanes. The officer followed Ruiz going about 70 mph and noticed Ruiz nearly hit other cars head-on.
The officer tried a PIT maneuver in the median to stop Ruiz, but it did not work. Ruiz then went south in the southbound lanes, and the chase speed reached near 110 mph. The officer says Ruiz then slammed on his brakes, causing him to hit the Jeep and spin out. The chase continued through the Lowry City city limits before Ruiz lost control and wrecked near a curve.
According to the officer, he got out of his patrol car and was able to arrest Ruiz. The officer tested Ruiz for alcohol, and his BAC came back to be 0.169.
According to the Osceola Police Department, the officer involved in the chase was Officer French and his K9 Officer Beck.
The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and Missouri State Highway Patrol worked the crash since Ruiz hit the officer’s patrol car.
Ruiz appeared in court on December 23 and entered a not-guilty plea for the incident. He is being held in the St. Clair County Jail without bond. He is set to appear in court again on January 8, 2025.
To report a correction or typo, please email digitalnews@ky3.com. Please include the article info in the subject line of the email.
Copyright 2024 KY3. All rights reserved.
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