Why the KC Chiefs don’t have to re-sign anyone this offseason
Wide Receivers
The Chiefs have to have several pass-catching options for Patrick Mahomes to throw to. However, last season Mahomes proved he can win it all with Travis Kelce as his go-to guy and a collection of different weapons at wide receiver. While Juju Smith-Schuster was the most productive of that group, totaling 78 catches for 933 yards he wasn’t the kind of next-level difference maker that the Chiefs need to overpay for. So will he be back in K.C.? I don’t know. If he’ll sign a reasonable 2-3 year deal for $10-15 million per, fine, but if he wants a Christian Kirk-type deal the Chiefs need to let him walk.
The Chiefs have Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore already under contract for next season. While none of those players are likely true #1 WR material, they all have the potential to be regular contributors. Toney and Moore share enough similarities in play style to Mecole Hardman that it would make re-signing him redundant. The Chiefs could likely re-sign Justin Watson to a cheap deal, draft a wideout in the first three rounds, and then sign another reliable veteran possession-type receiver to a cheap one-year deal and be just fine.
MVS, Toney, and Moore all have the potential to be even better in year two of the Chief’s offense. MVS stepped up big in the AFC Championship game when all of K.C.’s other wideouts were hurt. Toney has proven his explosive big play upside already, he just needs to find a way to be healthy. The good news is he seems to be very happy and motivated in K.C. Moore has also flashed some upside in both creating separation and making plays with the ball in his hands. His problem was he was very raw coming out of college and needs time to master the offense and become reliable. If he can take a step in that direction the potential is there for MVS, Toney, and Moore to be the Chiefs’ three most productive receivers next season.
If the Chiefs can add another talent in the draft and just find a reasonable veteran (if Juju wants a big payday) they will be fine. If they can get a Jakobi Meyers, Allen Lazard, or Darius Slayton for a lot cheaper than they can land Juju, then that’s the way I would go. That’s not to say I wouldn’t be happy to have Juju back, but not if it puts them in a worse situation to fill out the rest of the roster. I feel the same way about Jerick McKinnon. I’d love to have him back, but there’s no way I’m overpaying for a running back that’s about to turn 31 and has a long injury history. If he wants to come back on a veteran minimum type deal, great, but otherwise you can find a cheap pass protecting running back elsewhere.
Now let’s talk about the defense.