Chiefs' Biggest Keys To Having Successful NFL Offseason
The Kansas City Chiefs' path to a Super Bowl three-peat begins with key decisions made in the NFL offseason.
Two of Kansas City's top defensive players, L'Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones, are set to become free agents. Kansas City has to decide whether to keep both players, or to move on through replacements in free agency or the 2024 NFL draft.
Patrick Mahomes proved he could win the Super Bowl without a ton of support at wide receiver. The Chiefs should make it an offseason priority to give the superstar quarterback some more help.
Sure, the Chiefs could try to run it back with Isiah Pacheco, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce as the main components of the offense, but they should at least attempt to add some depth players who can contribute more than their current offensive skill position players.
Keep One of L'Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones
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L'Jarius Sneed and Chris Jones should be at the top of any free-agency wish list at cornerback and defensive end.
The two players should receive a handful of massive offers in the offseason. That could lure both defensive stars away from Kansas City.
The Chiefs should make an effort to retain at least one of the stars on Steve Spagnuolo's defense to keep some continuity on that unit.
Kansas City enters the offseason with $23 million in salary cap space, per Spotrac, and it could use some of that cash to keep Sneed or Jones.
The Chiefs might make a bigger push to keep Jones because Trent McDuffie could take over the No. 1 cornerback slot from Sneed, if he leaves.
Add Offensive Depth
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The Chiefs have a clear No. 1 player at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.
After that, the depth starts to fall off.
Kansas City needs to rework its depth at the offensive skill positions in the offseason.
It has to decide whether or not to keep Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon at running back, both of whom are free agents. The franchise also must look into No. 2 or No. 3 pass-catching options in free agency or the draft.
Kansas City only has six draft picks. Some of the early selections could be used on replacements for Sneed and Jones, so a late-round pick may be handed a chance to succeed in training camp.
The Chiefs could also look into free agency at wide receiver. They may not go after Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and the top free agents, but someone like Curtis Samuel or Jauan Jennings, who could fill the No. 2 role at a decent price, would be an ideal signing.
Cut Kadarius Toney
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It feels like Kadarius Toney's time in Kansas City is up.
The former New York Giants wide receiver made a handful of critical mistakes this season and he did not play a role in the postseason run.
The Chiefs owe Toney $2.5 million for the 2024 season, but they can't justify paying him that much given the litany of errors in his time with the franchise.
Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore are all worth keeping over Toney, and if a new wide receiver enters the depth chart, there is no guarantee Toney will make the Week 1 roster.
The Chiefs should allow Toney to find a fresh start somewhere else instead of dealing with the headaches that the player causes for another season.
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