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How the Kansas City Chiefs can become a “real” Super Bowl contender

By Stacy D. Smith

Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) talk on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) and tight end Travis Kelce (87) talk on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL: AFC Divisional-Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs
NFL: AFC Divisional-Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs /

Acquire a dependable offensive skill player

Let’s face facts here. The Kansas City Chiefs don’t have a single offensive player who can be relied upon to make a play in a key offensive situation. Jeremy Maclin’s 2016 was marred by inconsistency. Travis Kelce in key situations is either clutch or catastrophic. Spencer Ware never seemed the same following a mid-season concussion. Jamaal Charles may never play another NFL down. Tyreek Hill was likely the closest thing to dependable Kansas City had, but it’s tough putting that kind of pressure on a first-year player. He may become that player as he evolves, but the Chiefs desperately need someone else to occupy that space until he does.

With looming contract situations for both Eric Berry and Dontari Poe, it’s unlikely that the Chiefs will be big players in free agency. The every-down dependability they need is likely going to have to come from a player currently on the roster. Given another year to mature, that could very well happen with Ware, Hill or Kelce in 2017. It’s also possible that Dorsey acquire another hidden, waiver-wire gem who can be an additional weapon in Reid’s arsenal.

If the Chiefs can merely do two of the things on this list, they’ll have a shot at advancing beyond the Divisional round next season. Ben Roethlisberger and Tom Brady aren’t going anywhere and eventually you’re going to have to beat one (or both) of them to earn the right to play in the Super Bowl. They key for Kansas City is to maintain the core of this football team and to get even stronger in the seasons to come.

Does the 2016 season give you hope for a bright future in Kansas City or was it just another reminder that the current direction of the team makes them an outlier for Super Bowl possibilities? Are there other tenable options to help get the Chiefs over the hump this offseason? Should the Chiefs consider moving on from Alex Smith? Use the comment section below to begin the debate. As always, we appreciate your readership and support.

Until next time, Addicts!

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