The dust has settled. The frenzied activity is done. The front office and coaching staff for the K.C. Chiefs can breathe easy for a spell before gearing up for their season opening game against the Cleveland Browns on September 12.
The Chiefs have made their official roster cuts, and while there are still plenty of potential moves to come with waiver claims, potential trades, and further signings, at least the significant work of shrinking down a roster from 90 at the beginning of August to 53 at present is finished.
The Chiefs were forced to say goodbye to a lot of talented players, rookies and veterans included, but the core of 53 players that remain ready to compete in ’21 is one father league’s best rosters. Here’s our first look with notes included at the team’s active roster out of the preseason.
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes, Chad Henne
There’s nothing in the way of any surprises here as the Chiefs move forward into the 2021 season with not only the set-up expected of only two quarterbacks on the active roster but it’s also the same two quarterbacks everyone would have expected even a year or more ago.
Patrick Mahomes has a big season ahead of him as he chases historic greatness at such a young age. He’s favored to win his second MVP trophy and there’s a good chance he ends up heading to his third Super Bowl in only four seasons as a starter. From early career touchdown marks to establishing a team dynasty, this could be a very memorable year for Mahomes.
As for Henne, he’s now in the final season on his contract and could be the final older veteran quarterback kept behind Mahomes for the sake of any security. From here on out, the Chiefs might decide to bank on a developmental quarterback behind Mahomes to groom some security and/or develop tradable draft assets in the future (which is what the Packers and Patriots have done for years). No matter what happens, it will be a memorable year.
Running back
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams, Jerick McKinnon, Michael Burton (FB)
The Chiefs are going a bit thinner than some fans might have predicted earlier in the preseason at this position. Thats’ due to the release of both Darwin Thompson and Derrick Gore, the latter of whom enjoyed a breakout final preseason game, as well as injury issues that plagued both Edwards-Helaire and Williams.
The choice to go with only three backs means that the team feels good about the readiness of everyone involved. It also speaks volumes about their belief in Jerick McKinnon to be a key contributor in the mix out of the backfield, a solid finding for such a low-risk, one year contract. Of course, Burton is the new Sherman and fans will like the way he plays on Sundays.
Wide receiver
Tyreek Hill, Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle, Demarcus Robinson, Daurice Fountain
Tyreek sits high atop the depth chart for the Chiefs at a wide receiver position that is waiting for someone—anyone—to really separate themselves from the rest and demand more targets. This year, the Chiefs are committed to giving Mecole Hardman every chance to be that guy since they’ve to acquire someone else despite flirting with options in free agency.
As for the rest, the Chiefs are giving a few players some key chances. Robinson has a chance to prove his doubters wrong and earn a potentially bigger payday next spring. Pringle has a chance to break out with more touches. Fountain just wanted any chance at all and got it.
Tight end
Travis Kelce, Blake Bell, Noah Gray, Jody Fortson
Count ’em: four tight ends!
Travis Kelce has to like what he sees in terms of the rest of the depth chart below him. For the first time, the Chiefs might have the young guns to actually give him a decent amount of rest in 2021 to deal with the rigors of a 17-game regular season and allow him to think long-term about his career.
Gray’s development will be interesting to watch this season, and charting his snaps and targets over time will show how much he’s getting it in practice as the season goes on. The same can be said for watching Fortson take full advantage of the opportunity before him on the active roster as well. Bell will help mentor the young guys and serve as the primary blocker here. Together, this should be a fun subplot for the season.
Offensive line
Orlando Brown Jr., Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Lucas Niang, Mike Remmers, Andrew Wylie, Nick Allegretti, Austin Blythe, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Kyle Long (PUP)
The Chiefs wanted this position to look radically different than it did at season’s end in 2020. Mission accomplished. Even the team’s best offensive linemen have been replaced by younger and potentially better options. Last year’s starters are now experienced backups. New starters are all young and ready to grow into a cohesive unit together. The overall effort to rebuild is impressive.
There are questions here at every position besides left guard with Thuney in place. That said, even the questions look minor in light of the potential attached. Three rookies are ready to start. Brown is ready to showcase his skills where he wanted all along at left tackle. Everyone involved is protecting the best overall player in the game and a Super Bowl is in view. That should keep a deep unit motivated and moving along toward potential greatness.
Defensive line
Chris Jones, Frank Clark, Jarran Reed, Derrick Nnadi, Turk Wharton, Mike Danna, Khalen Saunders, Joshua Kaindoh, Alex Okafor, Malik Herring (NFI)
If the game is won or lost in the trenches, then the Chiefs are ready to declare victory. This defensive line matches the offensive one in talent and overall depth, and Steve Spagnuolo is going to love the overall versatility offered with this unit. Jones is ready to slide outside as needed, and Danna and Wharton are also ready to play along the edge and rotate inside.
The addition of Reed coincides well with Nnadi’s contract season and the breakout preseason performance from Saunders. While the Chiefs need to see if these same players can stay productive into the regular season, they look ready to roll while hoping that Okafor can stay healthy for the duration and Kaindoh can produce something while developing during his rookie campaign.
Linebackers
Nick Bolton, Willie Gay Jr., Anthony Hitchens, Ben Niemann, Darius Harris, Dorian O’Daniel
The Chiefs haven’t looked this good in the heart of the defense since Derrick Johnson manned the middle of Bob Sutton’s best defensive units. Steve Spagnuolo is going to have fun having multiple high-ceiling linebackers with which to utilize as he sees fit.
Let’s be clear that this is a unit that will grow with more experience, so fans should expect some painful moments from young guys learning to adjust to the mental side of the pro game. However, Gay and Bolton both have such natural skill sets that should excel in time as the game comes more naturally to them. With greater depth comes better fitting roles which should help guys like Niemann play to their strengths instead of being tasked with too much.
It is odd to see six linebackers here, but Willie Gay is currently injured so we expect either DOD or Harris to be released if/when Gay gets the all-clear.
Secondary
Tyrann Mathieu, Dan Sorensen, Juan Thornhill, Armani Watts, L’Jarius Sneed, Charvarius Ward, Mike Hughes, Deandre Baker, Rashad Fenton, Chris Lammons
The Chiefs secondary looks young and impressive heading into another season.
The safeties come into 2021 as a cohesive unit ready to grow together again. Under Mathieu’s leadership, Juan Thornhill has a real chance to blossom in his third season after struggling to get fully healthy and mentally sharp after suffering a season-ending injury during his rookie season. Meanwhile, Sorensen is another smart player for younger guys to play beside and learn from.
While fans hope the safeties can hold their own from last year, the big leap forward in development should come from a young cornerback corps that features two former first-round picks in Hughes and Baker who hope to grow into notable contributors in a secondary that will be in primetime a lot this season. Ward is in a contract year and should be motivated, while Sneed is the potential x-factor here who could become a household name with another strong season.
Specialists
Harrison Butker, Tommy Townsend, James Winchester
All as expected here for Dave Toub’s units. Harrison Butker is ready to add another accurate season to his burgeoning legacy. Tommy Townsend has been given competition-free room to grow into his pro potential. James Winchester is snapping long. It’d be a shock if this category changed members at any point in the coming season.