Chiefs' push for improved veteran depth informed by past Super Bowl experience

The Kansas City Chiefs recently announced the re-signing of wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The eight-year veteran returns to the team after spending one unceremonious season in Foxborough. Following the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith-Schuster signed a three-year, $25 million contract with the New England Patriots. Thus far, the reception to the news has been mixed. Free agency transactions in late August rarely move the needle, but this could prove a floor-raiser if Smith-Schuster’s knee is healthy.

In each of the three championship seasons of Kansas City's dynastic run, the team relied on veteran contributions when important players were sidelined by injuries. When training camp wrapped in Saint Joseph, I had real concerns with the relative lack of veteran depth at certain positions (namely running back, offensive line, and cornerback). Right around the deadline for setting an initial 53-man roster, it appeared general manager Brett Veach had similar questions. The signing of Smith-Schuster signaled a shift toward bolstering the roster with seasoned players with considerable game experience.

Recent roster reinforcements suggest the Chiefs' front office was concerned with the quality of depth on the roster.

Running backs Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have each been plagued by injuries over the past few seasons. On Monday, the team announced Edwards-Helaire was being placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list with a case of post-traumatic stress disorder and overall mental health issues. Fortunately for them, they signed veteran back Samaje Perine to ostensibly replace the skill set they lost with the departure of Jerick McKinnon. Kingdom-favorite Carson Steele also figures into the equation as another option who can share the workload, but Perine's presence gives the Chiefs a legitimate 1-2 punch (between him and Pacheco).

Edge defender Charles Omenihu is reportedly expected to be out for the first two months of the season as he continues to work back from a late-season ACL injury. Last week, Kansas City sent a seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for three-year veteran Cameron Thomas. Having another rotational piece on the edge is important to keeping starters George Karlaftis and Mike Danna fresh late in games. Thomas was a bit of a fish out of water in Arizona playing in a role he wasn't well suited for. The former third-round pick should fit in well with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the system he runs in Kansas City.

If there's an area where veteran depth remains a concern, it's along the offensive line. During preseason action, we saw significant snaps from the team’s rookie offensive linemen, headlined by left tackle Kingsley Suamataia. At this stage, he appears to be the only member of that trio who is primed for real playing time in the regular season. Hunter Nourzad and C.J. Hanson, Day Three selections from the 2024 NFL Draft, understandably need more time to develop. Players like Nick Allegretti and Stefen Wisniewski were integral pieces in past Super Bowl-winning seasons. Do the Chiefs have the experienced reserves on the offensive line this year? Can guard Mike Caliendo be relied upon in a pinch if needed?

One could also argue that the cornerback position lacks a veteran presence in its back half. Jaylen Watson has been nagged by injury throughout the offseason. If that trend continues, do the Chiefs have a young player they can rely upon to step into a bigger role? Chris Roland-Wallace is a rookie and Chamarri Conner played just 28% of the defensive snaps in 2023. At press time, a roster spot remains open with the news of Edwards-Helaire being designated for the NFI list. It's possible that Eric Scott Jr. — who the team recently acquired and later waived — could return as the team's corresponding move, but that's still very much an open question.

If the Kansas City Chiefs are to three-peat, experienced and competent players are vital as injuries inevitably occur. The team has done itself a favor by adding veteran players to thin position groups. We all remember how a lack of depth thwarted the Chiefs' first opportunity to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Let's hope the only history that repeats itself in 2024 is the kind that comes with a 22-inch, sterling silver trophy.