With multiple stars departing away from Kansas City, and the AFC West gaining more and more talent, is it time to talk about the Chiefs’ Super Bowl window closing?
Key Losses
The Kansas City Chiefs went through an interesting offseason for one of the premier teams in the NFL. The Chiefs lost two key superstars this offseason. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a package of draft picks. Also, the leader of the Chiefs secondary and All-Pro safety Tyrann Mathieu left in free agency to join the New Orleans Saints.
On the offensive side, one could argue that Hill was the main game-changer on the team. Hill’s elite speed and agility threatened to take to top off of every defense in the league. Without Hill, there will be more attention spent on stopping star tight end Travis Kelce. As a result, the Chiefs may have to commit to running the ball more as their wide receiver core will not be as explosive even with the newly acquired JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Image courtesy of KC Kingdom
Tyrann Mathieu was the glue that kept the Chiefs’ below-average secondary together. Without Mathieu, young defensive backs L’Jarius Sneed and Justin Reid will have to hold things together. Last year, the Chiefs’ secondary allowed 4,273 passing yards with the superstar safety. The loss of Mathieu will leave a gaping hole in the secondary and in leadership.
Without these key assets to both sides of the team, it will be hard for the Chiefs to make a deep playoff run this year.
The Rising AFC West
There is no doubt that the most improved division in the NFL is the AFC West. The Chargers who are led by a Justin Herbert who in many eyes can win league MVP this year have added many difference-makers this offseason. The Chargers added one of the league’s most feared pass rushers in Khalil Mack. Mack will be paired up with Joey Bosa as they will make up a stellar pass-rushing duo. The Chargers also signed tight end Gerald Everett who would be an additional target for young star Justin Herbert. The Chargers are currently the second favorite to win the AFC West behind the Chiefs.
The Broncos possibly made the biggest trade of the offseason. Denver brought in an elite quarterback in Russell Wilson. The Broncos have had a solid overall roster for many years now but have always needed help at the quarterback position. With the addition of Wilson, the young receiving core which includes Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton and K.J. Hamler will finally have the chance to prove their worth. The Broncos were in the middle of the pack in terms of passing offenses in 2021. But with Wilson at the helm, Denver looks to take a great stride forward in 2022.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
The Raiders were also adding key players to their team this offseason. The Raiders traded for arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Davante Adams. To pull this off Las Vegas gave up their first and second-round selections in this year’s draft. The Raiders now have one of the most dangerous duo’s in the league with Adams and tight end Darren Waller. Las Vegas now looks to improve on their 2021 playoff birth with a deep run in 2022.
Outlook
With the rest of the division getting stronger and adding some of the league’s best to their teams, the Chiefs have lost many key members of their Super Bowl teams. The Chiefs should not get comfortable this year as the teams they have to play multiple times a year are gaining quickly on them. Is the Chiefs’ Super Bowl window closing?
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