Chiefs news: Chargers preseason buzz over K.C. already starting for 2023

Conor Orr at Sports Illustrated is already predicting the Chargers over the Chiefs in 2023.

Welp, that didn’t take long. We’re pretty sure they’re still picking up confetti from the turf at State Farm Stadium. At the very least, they’re trying to get rid of the cigar smoke smell from the locker room. Basically we’re saying the memories of the Kansas City Chiefs’ win in Super Bowl LVII is still very fresh and yet we’re already hearing about the Chargers’ future supremacy.

Sorry, did you say something else, Conor Orr? I was yawning and didn’t hear you.

Conor Orr is a reporter for Sports Illustrated and, generally speaking, seems to be a good follow and worthy read most days, but I guess clicks are king these days because why else would someone willingly walk such an odd plank, especially in the wake of another Lombardi lift for the boys in red and gold.

In a recent column predicting bold things for each team next season, Orr wrote this about the Chargers: “They will win the AFC West and take the No. 1 seed in the AFC.” Now look, we get you have to go big or go home in a column about “bold predictions.” But there are ways to be bold and still stay within the realm of respectful takes. How about “Keenan Allen leaves but the offense looks great”? Or “Brandon Staley is fired after 10 games”?

What’s amazing is that when people decide to love on the Chargers, they really love the Chargers. Orr doesn’t say Chargers will give the Chiefs a real run for their money, nor does he even allow the Chiefs to tie them for the division lead. Suddenly, just like that, after seven consecutive AFC West titles for Kansas City, the Chargers are going to demand the keys and drive away with it.

Of course, this happens year after year but normally this is the sort of ink spilled around early May, when teams have made their signings and drafted their rookies. Last year, after L.A. had procured the talents of J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack, the hype made sense on paper. Then when it didn’t on the field, you’d think everyone in the media would have learned.

Fortunately none of this matters. Some fans and even players will keep these receipts to be used at the right time. Most of us should and will ignore it. At the very least, it’s a reminder that crazy things will be said no matter how dominant the Chiefs will get, even if the team cannot back them up.