Alex Smith trade has set Chiefs up to contend

So where will Smith lead the Chiefs from here? He is under contract for three more seasons but the Chiefs can largely walk away from him after this year. If Kansas City can find a legitimate second wide receiver, it will have the weapons to go deep into the playoffs. This offseason will be a key to the Chiefs, and they have the salary cap space to make enough moves to keep most of their best players.

The offseason will be spent improving the talent on the offensive line and re-signing most of their own defensive free agents. Kansas City had a great start to the offseason by signing Travis Kelce to a five-year extension that will keep him in K.C. through 2021. The Chiefs are on the rise in the AFC and depending on what happens with the quarterback situation in Denver this offseason, Kansas City should be favored to win the AFC West in 2016. A division title could easily take the Chiefs to a first-round bye and a home playoff game next season as their schedule should be easier than it was in 2015.

The Chiefs will be perennial contenders if they keep their defensive stars. While defense doesn’t necessarily win you a title, with Smith at the helm Kansas City has plenty of talent to keep it in the hunt consistently. When Charles returns to the offense in 2016 and Smith has another season to work with Maclin, Kelce and Chris Conley, this offense should take another step forward.

BONUS: A look at the Chiefs that made the All-Rookie team and a look ahead at the offseason that looms for Kansas City including a discussion of the free agents.