2022 Chiefs: Carry That Weight, Offense or Defense

2022 Chiefs: Carry That Weight, Offense or Defense

Laddie Morse

It may have been five+ decades ago, but the Beatles said it best, when they sang:

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Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time

– Beatles, Abby Road, 1969

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The question is, which part of the Kansas City Chiefs team will end up carrying the weight more this year: the offense or the defense? While the Chiefs have become known, in recent years, for their Offense, now that Tyreek Hill is gone, who will step up for the offense? In the meantime, the Chiefs made 7 out of 10 draft picks a defensive player in April, so could it be that the Defense steps up and becomes a championship caliber defense, starting this year?

However, the Chiefs are still Patrick Mahomes team and so it all begins with him. If Mahomes has a great season, so will the Chiefs. Cynthia Frelund at NFL.com says of Mahomes:

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“Tyreek Hill’s exit clearly changes how Kansas City’s offense looks and functions, but my projections show that the Chiefs’ total win share for the receiving corps could easily surpass the 2021 unit’s sum...

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Frelund then gets much more specific about Patrick Mahomes’ ability to throw the ball from any angle:

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Mahomes’ off-platform passing capabilities are unparalleled since he became a full-time starter in 2018; in this span, he boasts the most intermediate and deep completions, as well as the most touchdowns, when his feet aren’t completely set. Mahomes’ ability to reliably deliver the ball no matter the throwing plane is a huge advantage, especially with the QB looking to jell with a number of new pass catchers…

According to Next Gen Stats, he led the NFL in passing yards per attempt (10.8) and completion percentage (73.8) when facing the blitz in 2021.”

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You may be wondering how important a solid running game is, for the Chiefs offensive success? In an article published by 810whb.com called: “Running the Ball and Stopping the Run: How Important is it For the Chiefs?” it’s revealed that:

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“…  looking at the past Super Bowl winners, running the ball is a nice luxury, but not at all a necessity. The top rushing team in the NFL hasn’t won any of the past 18 Super Bowls (sorry Ravens, bad news for you), but there have been 8 of 18 winners ranked in the top 10, with 5 of those 8 ranked in the top 5.”

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What is necessary is… a great QB. You may want to site the 2017 Eagles who had Nick Foles as their QB or even the 2000 Baltimore Ravens who had Trent Dilfer. However, Foles had the ability to elevate his game and Dilfer’s team played more than 20 years ago. Plus, he was playing with one of the best defenses ever (they only allowed 10.3 points per game and were clearly the best defense that year).

Now that the Chiefs have one of the best — if not the very best — Offensive Lines in the NFL (see ESPN), boasting the best QB and the best TE only serves to say, it’s the Offense that will be carrying that weight. That said, an effective running game will only help the rest of the Chiefs offense purr like a kitten:

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That leads us to examine the Chiefs defense for the 2022 season. Just how good can they be with all those rookies? In a piece for ArrowheadPride called: “George Karlaftis could make a significant impact on deciding the AFC West” Tom Childs says:

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“… the Chiefs seem poised to transition from a high-octane, offense-dominated team to a more balanced squad that plays complementary football. For that to happen, though, the defense needs to step up its play in 2022…. Karlaftis is a high-energy defender with outstanding hand-to-hand combat skills and a knack for finding the ball. He adds toughness to a defense that needed some more fighters at the line of scrimmage. If Karlaftis can control the edges as a run defender and add some pass-rush production in Year 1, this defense could help Kansas City claim a seventh straight division crown.”

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Not only will George Karlaftis be a difference maker for the Chiefs defense this year, so will the other first round pick of the Chiefs: corner Trent McDuffie. Zack Eisen wrote a piece for SI.com called: “Trent McDuffie Isn’t Getting Enough Buzz This Preseason” in which he says:

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“McDuffie has been nothing short of exceptional during the Chiefs’ first two preseason games. The ball has only been thrown in his direction twice for one completion. His coverage ability has been on full display. Usually, quarterbacks like to target rookie cornerbacks to test their ability, but he has been so good in coverage that quarterbacks are avoiding throwing in his direction. Elite movement skills, athleticism and coverage instincts — all qualities of a great corner — are seen in McDuffie’s tape.”

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Having a talented rookie corner to pair with third year man, L’Jarius Sneed, will make the Chiefs a better team vs the pass in 2022. 4 of the 5 DBs taken by Brett Veach in the draft have made the final 53-man roster, and the fifth one, Nazeeh Johnson, was cut and then signed to the Practice Squad the very next day. The Chiefs also allowed Safety Tyrann Mathieu to walk away this offseason and signed FA Safety Justin Reid in the transition. Ron Kopp Jr. at ArrowheadPride wrote a piece called: “Justin Reid brings aggression, playmaking to the Chiefs defense” in which he says:

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“Reid has the athleticism and football IQ to play any position an NFL team will ask a safety to play — whether that is as a free safety, strong safety, slot defender or box player that can be a help against the run or as a pass rusher. He can competently play any of them, but his strengths would project him to play primarily as a free safety.”

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Let’s not forget about LB Nick Bolton and how he could be having a Soaring Sophomore Season: a year where he progresses upwards at an unheard of rate!

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So much has been made this offseason about the Chiefs defensive line play, or the lack thereof. On the interior, Tershawn Wharton and Khalen Saunders has had such positive preseasons, that it has allowed the Chiefs to release Danny Shelton, who was then signed back to the Chiefs Practice Squad. It’s been speculated that when K.C. faces a 3rd-and-long situation, they may field: Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Carlos Dunlap and George Karlaftis. Frankly, I’m hoping this happens, and I can’t wait to see the results.

I’ve been of the opinion that with the addition of Danny Shelton, the Chiefs would be able to stuff the opposition’s running game and be able to force many more 3rd-and-long results (passing down situations). With the relegating of Shelton to the PS, I’ve thought that may not be the case. If, on the other hand, DC Steve Spagnuolo and his coaches feel that they have enough fire power to stuff the run then protect/cover against the pass, I’ll not second guess him.

I’m still of the mindset that the Chiefs potentially have a: championship caliber defense. If that’s the case, even if it takes some time for the D members to gel… like half a season… then that should take a load of pressure off the Offense. Which means… the offense will be getting much more time on the field, and will carry their own weight.

What do you think? Will the offense or the defense be better this year? IOW, who’s going to carry that weight?

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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