Ranking the top 5 offseason moves made by the Kansas City Chiefs

The offseason offered some major choices for the Kansas City Chiefs to make. Which players were they willing to get extensions done with? Which pending free agents were they willing to bring back over others?

Now with the regular season getting set to kick off, it is time to look back on the offseason for the Chiefs. Which moves stood out the most by Kansas City's decision makers? Here are the top five that should help boost the Chiefs as a roster in 2024 and beyond.

5. Re-Signing Mike Danna

Many of the Chiefs' moves in free agency included bringing back some of their own guys. One player who was unsigned for a good bit after free agency began, though, was defensive end Mike Danna. But eventually, the former 2020 draft pick re-signed with the Chiefs on a three-year, $24 million deal with $13 million guaranteed included. It was one of the more exciting re-signings by Kansas City, despite the wait that Danna had to endure.

Danna is consistently viewed as an underrated piece by Chiefs fans and NFL fans in general. When people in Kansas City's locker room were asked who one of the hardest workers on the team was, it was generally a quick response of Danna's name. And that hard-working nature shows up in how this defender plays the game.

He will not wow you with flash and bend as a pass rusher. There is not even a great deal of quickness when coming off the ball. However, Danna can break down opposing blockers with a vast and unique set of pass rush hand counter moves. His physicality and length notably wear opponents down. And once in a while, the versatility he adds of being able to reduce inside allows the Chiefs to incorporate many different blitzes. With the defensive end spot lacking some depth, re-signing Danna will prove to be key for the 2024 campaign.

4. Re-Signing Drue Tranquill

The Chiefs did not waste any time in bringing back linebacker Drue Tranquill this offseason. Kansas City re-signed him to a three-year, $19 million deal. After coming over from the rival Chargers on a one-year deal last year, Tranquill became a vital piece for the Chiefs defense. Even if he was not the team's best defender, Kansas City was propped up by his play in various ways.

Tranquill is yet another versatile player that Kansas City can do a lot of different things with on defense. Tranquill's ability as a blitzer catches blockers and quarterbacks off guard from the second level. Meanwhile, he can make plays in space, whether that is against the run or the pass. And probably most of all for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Tranquill is physical and smart. His tenacious nature and instincts are items that can wear down opposing teams, even from a mental perspective.

With the Chiefs re-signing Tranquill, it allows them to continue to tinker with defensive looks and play calls with their deep linebacker room.

3. Drafting Xavier Worthy

The signing of Hollywood Brown gave Kansas City a fast and instinctive wide receiver to help revamp the room. But out of all the wide receiver additions, drafting Xavier Worthy has the chance to elevate the entire offense the most. His record-breaking speed can allow the Chiefs to reintroduce the deep ball to the offense. But even without vertical shots, Worthy has a chance to do damage on horizontal stretch routes with the offensive attack. This coaching staff will understand how to get him the ball quickly in multiple ways all over the field.

Beyond what production he could have himself, Xavier Worthy will likely open up so many other opportunities for KC pass catchers. He may be able to clear out traffic for passes underneath for names like Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice, perhaps along with JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Worthy can also create fewer press coverage attempts by defenses against his teammates. If teams do not press often, Patrick Mahomes can operate quickly and efficiently. The scare factor and danger that Worthy creates for the Chiefs offense as a whole, after a down year offensively, just gives Kansas City increased confidence.

2. Extending Creed Humphrey

As the Chiefs were getting set to play their final preseason game a couple of weeks ago, news broke that Creed Humphrey was receiving a contract extension. The deal was a record-setting contract extension for the center position. Humphrey will get up to $72 million over the four-year extension with $50 million guaranteed. As a blocker who has rarely allowed pressure and has been steady since entering the league, Humphrey has arguably become the league's best young center.

With having his contract done before the regular season begins on the final year of his rookie deal, Kansas City did an incredible job. Not waiting until after the season to make a decision on him was monumental. Humphrey helps lead the offensive line by keying calls and blitzes against opposing defenses. Having one of the best interior offensive linemen locked up gives the Chiefs another sense of comfort entering 2024.

1. Extending Chris Jones

After what felt like an exhaustive process over a couple of years, Chris Jones finally got his long-term extension in Kansas City. The Chiefs have not really paid near the top of the market for defenders under this regime. But in reality, keeping Chris Jones was crucial to the outlook of the defense over the next few years. He is certainly the best defender on Kansas City's roster. Much of that is due to his play in big games or critical moments.

His play at the end of Super Bowls has been visibly difference-making. Jones has continued to grow and elevate himself as a pass rusher. Moreover, the defensive tackle will forever be viewed as one of the top leaders within this current Chiefs dynasty. Now with a record-setting contract extension in hand, Jones can go out and essentially retire as a Chief.