The Kansas City Chiefs have been on top of the NFL world for the last handful of seasons. Patrick Mahomes is the league's best and most clutch quarterback. No head coach is as consistently successful as Andy Reid. And overall, the Chiefs have been able to hit on numerous draft picks which has helped to avoid overpaying for older pieces. In total, Kansas City does not have many weaknesses as a two-time defending Super Bowl champion.
Monday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was largely impressive from Kansas City's offense. But on defense, some holes were exploited by Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers' passing attack. It was a performance that provided some clarity on the Chiefs' cornerback spot. There were multiple items that were learned when considering that position for the rest of the season and moving into future years.
What questions do the Chiefs need to answer at cornerback for the remainder of 2024? Plus, what are pressing topics to monitor in this spot for Kansas City going into next season?
Cornerback Roles Could Be Evolving Throughout Remainder Of 2024
With Jaylen Watson injured, it is obvious that the Chiefs will need some players to step up in the stretch run. Trent McDuffie can only cover one guy. Names like Chamarri Conner and Chris Roland-Wallace have flashed as pieces that can play multiple positions on the defense. But outside of that, you are left holding your breath with the remaining options.
Joshua Williams has failed to really find his footing. And of course, Kansas City has also attempted to rally and play with less-heralded pieces at cornerback under this regime. The chances will likely continue to come for Williams and some tertiary options with Watson out. But even if Kansas City takes some gambles with unproven names, the Chiefs cannot just stick with something if it is not working.
Therefore, cornerback roles opposite of McDuffie could be evolving throughout the remainder of 2024, as a result. In this particular season, the cornerback spot simply feels like a greater weakness moving forward.
How to sort out the short term
In the short-term future, Williams is going to have to play more under control if he garners a significant workload as expected. Whether it be in coverage or in space trying to make a tackle, he will be tested on if he can make plays on the ball. The same is true when Kansas City needs a key tackle in the open field. The Chiefs will also know that teams will begin to target Williams more often when he is out on an island, as K.C. plays heavy man coverage.
If he can gain added confidence in those reps, that will be an added bonus. Williams entered the Chiefs' system with considerable rawness coming out of Fayetteville State and the Division II level. There were going to be areas of improvement for him upon joining Kansas City. Some of those are still a work in progress today. Working to find the football when traveling down the field is one to watch if he gains more snaps. Elsewhere, Williams reactionary quickness in man coverage is something that still stands out as an item to work on.
McDuffie's long-term value is enhanced
For the long-term future, this may all but confirm that McDuffie is the cornerback to break a certain mold in Kansas City. If he can truly remain as sufficient as he has been in his career so far with a worse option opposite of him, getting a contract extension done with him becomes even more enticing. The Chiefs have not paid cornerbacks significant money, nor have they retained many cornerbacks on additional contracts beyond their rookie window.
With how much McDuffie can do for the defense, this late-season push, in addition to what he has shown in his first two years, should give him a pretty fair shot at earning a rare extension from this franchise at his specific position. If you look at the average annual salaries for current cornerback contracts around the NFL, there is a pretty good gap between the top 11 average salaries and the tier below it. The 11 highest-paid cornerbacks are all making at least $19 million per season according to Spotrac. Directly below that, the next group averages about $13 million to $14 million per season. Could the Chiefs possibly fit McDuffie in between that gap somewhere?
How the Chiefs will approach corner in 2025
The Chiefs are likely due to add at least one, if not two, key additions to the cornerback room heading into 2025. Perhaps McDuffie does receive that extension before next season starts. But if not, he, Watson, Williams, and Nazeeh Johnson will all be entering the final year of their respective rookie deals. Bryan Cook will be in the same boat regarding his rookie deal at safety entering 2025.
That leads to questions on if the Chiefs will look to add a veteran cornerback or two that they can rely on because of experience next year. Overall, Kansas City could also use a premium draft pick on the cornerback position next April. KC is currently scheduled to have four draft selections in the first three rounds. If they add a name in free agency, players like Carlton Davis, DJ Reed, Byron Murphy and Kristian Fulton are all options that are scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The fact they are all under the age of 30 is significant for a regime like Kansas City.
As much success as the Chiefs have had by taking small gambles on lesser-known cornerbacks, the time may be right to get a proven piece. Depending on which route the team takes to address cornerback, it is sure to be a fluid situation for 2025 and beyond.