The Kansas City Chiefs begin their title defense with preseason play coming up in the next couple of weeks. The Chiefs sport one of the best rosters in the NFL led by Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, who have brought back three Lombardi’s in their time in Kansas City. Two of those have been in the previous two years. Here is a preview as they prepare for, yet another title chase.
HISTORY
The Chiefs look to go back-to-back-to-back this year and win three straight championships, a feat no other franchise has ever achieved. Another Super Bowl would make Patrick Mahomes the only quarterback to win four trophies before turning thirty. It would also bring the Chiefs within proximity of the most famed franchises tying them with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. On the field, Travis Kelce is trailing Chiefs and NFL Legend Tony Gonzalez in two franchise records: receptions and touchdowns. For touchdowns, he sits two behind the Hall of Famer, 76-74, and nine behind the reception record at 907.
Losses
PFF awarded the Chiefs an offseason grade of ‘A’ for the 2024 break, but Kansas City fans will miss a few pieces of the Super Bowl-winning roster as a few members had to depart. Defensive players Mike Edwards and Willie Gay Jr. both joined new teams, while L’Jarius Sneed was also traded to the Tennessee Titans, leaving a few gaping holes in the KC defense that was so dominant last year. Besides losing Guard Nick Allegretti and Tight End Jody Fortson, the offense did not lose any key pieces of the Super Bowl defense. Special Teams may be the most surprising change for some fans with punter Tommy Towsend agreeing to a contract that will bring him south to play for Houston. Brett Veach and his team did a great job, considering the task of keeping a Super Bowl-winning team together is not an easy one at all.
Returners
The Chiefs have a huge crop of players that are returning this year. Defensive tackle trio Tershawn Wharton, Mike Pennel, and Derrick Nnadi are all returning on one-year deals. Linebacker Drue Tranquill signed a three-year deal worth $19 million solidifying a veteran that will help replace the absence of Willie Gay Jr. Long snapper James Winchester will return to play in his 10th NFL season. All of these guys are huge additions that will be important role-players in the title defense, but the most notable returner is defensive tackle Chris Jones who signed a brand new five-year contract that will keep Jones around likely through the end of his career.
Additions
A show is coming to KC this year with Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown inking a one-year deal with the Chiefs alongside Tight End Irv Smith Jr. who comes in on a one-year deal to take over the role of Jody Fortson when he was healthy.
The Chiefs were aggressive in the 2024 draft adding seven collegiates after completing multiple trades before and during the selections. Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy was the star of the class out of Texas. Worthy posted the fastest 40-yard time in Pre-Draft Combine history with a stunning 4.21. He is expected to bring speed back to a Patrick Mahomes’ offense that has missed the vertical speed of Tyreek Hill. Perhaps his predecessor has arrived. The Chiefs also took Tight End Jared Wiley out of Texas Christian to learn under Travis Kelce and maybe earn the role of his predecessor as well. Three of the other KC selections were offensive linemen to provide some more depth at that position.
In addition to the rookie draft picks, Louis Rees-Zammit is a name fans should get used to hearing. Louis comes ‘across the pond’ to join a Chiefs team that can learn from his former profession: rugby. Rees-Zammit was a decorated rugby player for the English club, Gloucester and for the Welsh national team. The Chiefs also brought in a replacement at punter in punter Matt Araiza. Araiza has had some off-the-field drama but is getting a second chance with the Chiefs after posting an average of 51.2 yards/punt at San Diego State during his junior campaign. He became famous for his incredibly strong leg in college and showed it when the Bills selected him out of college in a preseason game, recording an 82-yard punt. The hope is the Chiefs won’t have to utilize him very much, but it may be a secret weapon Dave Toub has up his sleeve.
New Rules
Speaking of Toub, the NFL introduced a new kickoff rule this year that the Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator had to adjust to. Fans of the XFL will recognize the new format, but across the NFL kicking teams will set up in a line on the returning side’s forty-yard line. Look out for Louis Rees-Zammit and 1st Round Draft Pick Xavier Worthy to make a splash with the new rules as they are the favorites to hold the return duties.
Schedule
The Chiefs kick off the 2024 NFL Regular Season on September 5th when they host the Baltimore Ravens for an AFC Championship rematch. Following the opener, Patrick Mahomes and Co. will have to turn right around to face the Cincinnati Bengals at home. Over his career, Cincinnati has been his Achilles heel as he has suffered two regular season losses, the second-most of any team, trailing only the Bills. Just a few weeks later the Chiefs will compete in a Super Bowl rematch, but this time the game will be held in San Francisco. The Chiefs will compete this year on Christmas Day once again, with hopes that the matchup swings in their favor this time. The game will be held in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. You can view the rest of the season here: https://www.chiefs.com/schedule/
Summary
The Kansas City Chiefs look primed for their third straight Super Bowl, but things can not go as they did last year. The receivers need to catch the ball. The offense needs to return to the old Patrick Mahomes’ offenses that put up 30+ a game. Maybe these are unrealistic expectations, but those adjustments combined with the defense from last year will make the Chiefs a heavy favorite throughout the season to repeat once again.
The Chiefs open their season against Baltimore at home on Thursday, September 5th at 7:20 local time. The game can be found on NBC.
