For a group that has been to the AFC Championship Recreation 4 years in a row and in addition has a pair of Tremendous Bowl appearances and a Tremendous Bowl win combined in, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs positive discover themselves in an fascinating spot because the 2022 common season arrives.

This model of the Chiefs is not what many would anticipate to see with regard to a top-shelf contender. Certain, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce stay elite items, however that is about it. Chris Jones is nice, however fellow supporting cornerstones equivalent to Tyreek Hill and Tyrann Mathieu are gone. Regardless of that, common supervisor Brett Veach has restocked the cabinet with youth and depth as a substitute of star energy. It is a daring technique, however one that ought to — in principle — set the group up for long-term success.

Did Veach do sufficient, although? Can Kansas Metropolis stay ultra-competitive within the current whereas additionally contemplating the longer term? What might this yr’s Chiefs group appear like? These three questions are vital, and listed below are three extra key ones to contemplate because the Chiefs’ season opener in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals looms giant. 

How lengthy will the Chiefs’ protection take to settle in?

As lately as final season, Steve Spagnuolo’s protection took fairly some time to spherical into kind. The identical aspect of delayed enchancment has taken place in prior seasons below Spagnuolo as effectively, and it is turn out to be obvious that his defensive scheme results in its items and elements taking some time to jell. Within the first seven video games of the 2021 marketing campaign, Kansas Metropolis surrendered a mixed 203 factors (a mean of 29 per sport). In Weeks 8-18, nevertheless, that common was simply 16.1 factors per outing. What is going to the “fixing level” be this yr? That reply is inconceivable to predetermine.

Along with the aforementioned lack of Mathieu, the Chiefs are banking on a ton of inside improvement to happen and management to emerge in 2022. Up entrance, rookie George Karlaftis is tasked with including pass-rush juice to Spagnuolo’s line of defense. Up the center, linebackers Nick Bolton and Willie Homosexual Jr. are anticipated to take flight and emerge as a borderline elite duo. Within the secondary, the Chiefs did a near-complete overhaul of the unit and look completely completely different now than they did earlier this calendar yr. Kansas Metropolis has a brutal early slate on its schedule this season, so issues will not be straightforward out of the gate. If it takes too lengthy for the group’s protection to solidify, it might influence the ultimate standings in a serious means. If issues transfer forward of schedule, the Chiefs could also be higher than anticipated. 

Will the subsequent evolution of Patrick Mahomes happen this yr?

By just about all accounts, the 2021 season was the worst of Patrick Mahomes’s profession up to now. He put up spectacular numbers that the majority quarterbacks would hand over lots to safe however for his requirements, it was a little bit of an underwhelming efficiency from a participant many consider is the perfect at his place. At varied factors all year long, Mahomes struggled to keep up good pocket presence, belief his receivers and easily take what opposing defenses gave him. He did settle in in the direction of the top of the common season, nevertheless, posting a 114.5 passer score in his final 5 video games.

With that mentioned, Mahomes is coming off what was hands-down probably the most embarrassing half of soccer of his profession and his broad receiver group seems to be vastly completely different than it did in Kansas Metropolis’s AFC Championship Recreation loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. As Mahomes turns 27 in September, maybe a newfound — or finalized — maturity inside his sport will emerge. There is not a lot left for him to enhance on but when he takes extra concise drops within the pocket and shows an unwavering belief within the trinity of his offensive line, fellow offensive weapons and head coach, the 2022 season might showcase the perfect model of Mahomes but. There is a subsequent evolution to be witnessed. 

Did the remainder of the AFC fully shut the hole? 

One of many downsides of the Chiefs setting themselves up in a terrific place for the longer term is that they could have taken a small step again within the current. Even when they show to be on par with final season’s group, although, they are going to be challenged simply as a lot as they had been earlier than — if no more. Reigning contenders such because the Bengals and Buffalo Payments undertaking to be again like they by no means left, and even the Baltimore Ravens have a shot at making a deep playoff run if issues break their means. Proper off the bat, there is a shortlist of groups the Chiefs must be maintaining a tally of. 

There’s additionally one other trio inside the AFC West itself. The Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos every made huge efforts to enhance throughout the offseason, and all three might be seeking to dethrone Kansas Metropolis in 2022-23. That, mixed with the remainder of the contenders’ stellar quarterback play and outright starvation to knock the Chiefs off their block, might be one thing to observe this season. The hole is undoubtedly closed by some quantity, however there’s room for interpretation on both aspect of that spectrum.