As the Kansas City Chiefs get back to work following a mini-bye of sorts (thanks, Thursday Night Football!), they are sitting pretty in the AFC. They're in first place overall in the conference at 5-1 and are racing toward an eighth consecutive AFC West title with their lone defeat coming in the season-opening game against the Detroit Lions—a contest in which the Chiefs shot themselves in the foot numerous times.
Basically, it feels like the only team that can beat the Chiefs is the Chiefs themselves, and that's what any franchise wants at this point—to feel in full control of its destiny.
At the same time, there are myriad questions to be asked. The offense is more sputter than sexy these days, especially when discussing Patrick Mahomes's connection with his wide receivers. Travis Kelce's health has been a question more than once already, and there's also the truth that the competition so far this year for K.C. has been suspect. As good as they've looked, no one is putting their feet up on the desk just yet.
As the Chiefs get ready for the next wave of games and head into Week 7, there are a few personnel questions that require some consideration. And it begins with some potential reunions.
Will Frank Clark join the defense?
At this point, it almost seems like a given but nothing has happened yet and we've been here with "likely" news in the past. We thought Tyreek Hill was going to sign an extension and then he was traded. Positive things were said on all sides about keeping Orlando Brown Jr. around and then he was allowed to walk. Chris Jones wanted to be here for life but then wanted to take the entire preseason off.
So when Andy Reid says they're talking internally about bringing back Frank Clark now that he's been released by the Denver Broncos, we believe him but we're not also ordering some jersey update or anything.
There are two primary arguments about a reunion with Clark at this juncture and they both make good sense. First, all you have to do is say Playoff Frank and sit back down. The memories of two Super Bowls, including a 2.5 sack run in 3 games last year from the Shark, speak for themselves. Who doesn't want Playoff Frank on their team? Right.
At the same time, this is a new era for this Chiefs defense that is looking very good after six weeks by letting the kids run the show. Your key performers along the edges are all on their rookie deals: Mike Danna, George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, and Malik Herring. Charles Omenihu hasn't even played a single snap for the team and was the major free agent prize. In short, where would Clark fit? And wouldn't he just crowd out valuable reps in the learning curve for one or more players?
Short-term and long-term results are all in play here, but the season is long and it's unlikely the Chiefs will have every player at full strength in this position by season's end. Maybe that's where Clark holds the most value. We will have to wait and see what the Chiefs think.