The 4 biggest questions facing the Chiefs at the start of the offseason
By Matt Conner
How will the Chiefs surround Chris Jones?
When you start with the best interior pass rusher in the game, you’re starting from a strength. But from there, the Chiefs have some work to do, a process they started last season and look to continue this spring in earnest.
After a few seasons of leaning on an oft-ailing Frank Clark and spare parts to work with Jones in the pass rush, last season, the Chiefs made a major investment in George Karlaftis. The team used their second of two first-round selections in the 2022 NFL Draft on the pass rusher out of Purdue and the potential was obvious from the start.
Karlaftis came to the NFL with a pro-ready bull rush and a non-stop motor and both were on display early and often for the Chiefs. From there, it took some time to grow as a cornerstone lineman but Karlaftis had 5.5 sacks in his final 7 games of his rookie season. At the very least, Karlaftis gives the Chiefs an impressive floor on one side that should always give the Chiefs quality reps as a three-down end.
Beyond that, however, the Chiefs need to go shopping. Back-to-back veteran flyers on the likes of Melvin Ingram and Carlos Dunlap should give way to further draft investments. Mike Danna is an underrated piece but much more is needed here. Whether it’s further disruption along the interior or another high draft pick used at defensive end, the need is the same (maybe both).
If the Chiefs lock Jones up for the long term, then they need to turn their attention to his running mates in the pass rush if they want to repeat as champs.