Kansas City has kept its edge around Mahomes by finding values along the offensive line, receiving corps and backfield while just making sure he still has Travis Kelce as his reliable go-to guy all over the field. Defensively, they’ve aced a lot of key draft picks for pressure and coverage around stud tackle Chris Jackson, and most have been maximized in Steve Spagnuolo’s system.
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The Chiefs know they are the hunted and must keep that edge by acing new challenges every offseason, That’s no different in 2024, with free agency and draft being critical again to their chances of adding more rings for Mahomes.
Here’s exploring the five biggest questions for the Chiefs’ upcoming offseason after Super Bowl 58, including how to help Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce and how to keep Jones:
How will the Chiefs continue to upgrade their receiving corps for Patrick Mahomes?
The Chiefs streamlined their struggling passing game down the stretch and into the playoffs, trusting most in Kelce and rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice. They’ve taken shots on youngsters Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore that haven’t worked out and Justin Watson is a limited target.
Before the playoffs, veteran starter Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a shaky season as a deep threat. The Chiefs can save almost $12 million in salary cap space by cutting MVS.
Kelce and Rice have the Chiefs set in the middle of the field, but they need more reliable field-stretching and route-running on the outside. Some intriguing free agent options range from Tee Higgins to Marquise Brown. The 2024 wide receiver draft class is also strong and there are several Chiefs-worthy picks as deep threat and position types.
How will the Chiefs further address their offensive tackle situation?
The Chiefs were smart in not spending to retain tackle Orlando Brown Jr. in 2023 free agency, but they made a big mistake investing in former Jaguar Jawaan Taylor at right tackle. Former Buccaneer Donovan Smith, about to be 31, also had major issues at times at left tackle.
Although the Chiefs don’t have a reasonable out from Taylor’s contract until 2025, Smith is a pending free agent. The Chiefs could then give serious consideration to signing another Smith, longtime Cowboys stalwart Tyron also a free agent at 33.
How much longer can Travis Kelce keep playing at a high level?
This is a consideration on multiple levels. First, at 34 and having played 11 NFL seasons, there’s a chance Kelce might be thinking about retiring from football soon. That can be affected by his public personal life, including older brother Jason being in the process of deciding to whether to hang it up for the Eagles.
Regardless if Travis Kelce doesn’t return for 2024 or suggest he might be playing for only one more season, the Chiefs can address the future at tight end knowing he’s bound to slow down. Blake Bell is a free agent and Noah Gray hasn’t proved he can be more than a backup. The best target for them would be in the draft, using a late first-rounder on Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders as a dynamic heir apparent who can also help with the immediate receiving issues.
Will the Chiefs be able to keep Chris Jones in NFL free agency?
The Chiefs are in decent cap shape to the point they could lock up their most dominant and indispensable defensive player on one more long-term contract. They could also have Jones explore the free-agent market as he commands more than $33 million per season and a contract with a massive guarantee.
Kansas City can make it work, but it’s more about Jones getting his ideal multiple-season deal, knowing the franchise tag is not an avenue because of its tender bumping up to near $32 million for one year for his services.
What will be Chiefs’ other key team needs?
Should the team commit to Jones and land one key free agent at wide receiver or offensive tackle, there will be limited resources to retain other key free agents. Linebacker and depth at both running back and defensive line are set to be critical positional targets, but the biggest question is whether the team will need to replace fee-agent fcornerback L’Jarius Sneed, a la losing Charvarius Ward to the 49ers in the 2022 offseason.
Sneed forms a tough coverage 1-2 punch with Trent McDuffie. The Chiefs, should they sign Jones long-term and include MVS as one of their cuts, have the potential of using the franchise tag on Sneed for $18.8 million guaranteed in 2024.
If Jones and Sneed get the investments to keep the defense intact in two key sports, then the Chiefs also would need to table the rest of their front seven needs until the draft, right along with offensive tackle, wide receiver and tight end. The Chiefs will take a few personnel losses per usual, but they’re in better shape than most contenders who have invested so much in their QB because of their ability to find young and cheap players to complement their core players.
