Laddie Morse
Sure, the Three-peat theme is foremost in the hearts and minds of the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs. The bigger issues has to do with expectations. When you’ve won two Super Bowls in a row and everyone and their Grandma’s brother’s sister is talking about the Three-peat, the word expectations may be getting lost in the shuffle, but it’s no where near being gone from the conversation when you’re a Chiefs Kingdom fan. So, let take a look at some of the “great” expectations for the Chiefs players — group by group — this season and whether or not that adds up to another Super Bowl, or Super Bowl LIX victory.
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O-F-F-E-N-S-E
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QB Patrick Mahomes
In 2022 Patrick Mahomes threw for 5,2050 yards with 41 TDs. Mind you, that was his first year without Tyreek Hill. Then last year — a down year for Patrick — he threw for 4,183 yards and had 27 TDs. Since the TDs are what’s important to focus on here… that is likely the reason that HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach were hyper focused this offseason on repairing thier WR room so they not only signed free agent Marquise Hollywood Brown, but drafted the faster man ever in the history of hte combine, WR Xavier Worthy.
Expectations: The Expectations for Mahomes is that he returns to his 4,800 to 5,000 yard range and more importantly returns to his 40+ TD range. Anything less would not be a success. Of course, anything less than a return trip to the Super Bowl, would also not be a success. Plus, if Mahomes goes down with an injury, his backup, Carson Wentz, is better than any backup they’ve ever had… well, since Rich Gannon… and he’s capable of winning multiple games for K.C..
Please forgive me, but I have to show this play whenever I can… as it changed the whole game of football for me and as a life long Chiefs fan, I fell in love with the game all over again:
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Travis Kelce and the TEs
Travis Kelce had 7 seasons in a row with at least 1,000 yards receiving, then last year he had 984 yards, but sat out the last game of the regular season to make sure he was physically ready for the playoffs. I’m sure that if the same thing happened this year, he’d do the same. Kelce’s age has become an issue and that may be the reason Veach signed Irv Smith Jr. as a free agent TE then turned around and drafted TE Jared Wiley.
Expectations: Kelce should get more rotational assistance and the assistance he needs from others TEs, and that should support him immeasurably. Noah Gray has progressed nicely over his three year career and he had more than 300 yards in 2023. He should not only hit that mark again, but Kelce I predict will return to the 1,000+ yard mark and while his average per catch has gone gradually down over the past four seasons from 13.5 in 2020… to last year when he averaged 10.6… he should be able to raise that back up again. Also, Kelce’s TDs of only 5 last year during the regular season should be broken in the first half of the 2024 year. We do know that whatever Travis Kelce does in the playoffs will set a new standard for receptions (see below):
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RB Isiah Pacheco
With the Chiefs passing game once again stretching the field, Pop, as he’s referred to by his teammates, should reach more than 1,000 yards rushing in 2024. In his rookie year he had 830 rushing yards and 5 TDs. In 2023, his second year, he had 935 yards rushing with 7 TDs. Pop also had 130 yards receiving.
Expectations: he should end up with at least 1,000 yards rushing this year with 8 or more TDs.
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Wide Receivers
It’s not enough to say Hollywood Brown will help Patrick Mahomes re-establish the long ball in 2024. Hollywood Brown will not only help PMII but help himself gain a huge contract in 2025. What that means in the meantime is… the Chiefs will return to becoming the long ball offense they used to be with Tyreek Hill. If it takes Xavier Worthy some time to adjust to the speed and playbook difficulty of Andy Reid’s offense, so be it, in the meantime, Hollywood Brown will help the offense not only stretch the field but open things up for all the Chiefs underneath plays from running the ball to TE dominance to Rashee Rice crossing routes.
Expectations: the WR room will return to the dominant force it once was when Tyreek Hill was in the house.
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D-E-F-E-N-S-E
Defensive Ends
The Chiefs Defensive Ends will play a critical role in the effectiveness of Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive game planning. With George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, Felix Anudkie-Uzomah, Malik Herring, and Charles Omenihu (when he returns) the TE position is solid for now.
Expectations: the TEs as a group should sparkle, especially if Chris Jones pops outside every now and again.
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Defensive Tackles
The Chiefs Defensive Tackles should be amongst the best groups with Chris Jones playing on a new five year deal worth $158.75 M and $101 M guaranteed. It’s clear that they’ve been looking for someone to slot in next to Stone Cold Jones and that they haven’ found that guy yet, but they are bringing back: Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, Tershawn Wharton, Isaiah Buggs (don’t as me why he’s still on the roster) and Matt Dickerson, Fabien Lovett Sr., plus they just signed Alex Gubner last week.
Expectations: relatively the same as last year, with Chris Jones (notice that CJ is lined up as the RDE below).
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Linebackers
Nick Bolton just gets better and better. Add in Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal and the Chiefs may have their best starting three in years. Willie Gay’s speed will be missed, but the intuition of Drue Tranquill should take precedence.
Expectations: with Bolton, Tranquill, Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cam Jones and Curtis Jacobs and the Chiefs have a deeper LB group than they’ve ever had.
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Cornerbacks
With L’Jarius Sneed changing teams this offseason, I don’t expect the Chiefs CBs to be better.
Expectations: the best they can hope for is to equal out the effort of last year’s group. The only thing that makes me feel okay with the loss of Sneed is the coaching of Dave Merritt. After all, without Merritt, Sneed would never have become the player he is today… the one who got a 4-year, $76.4 M deal (with $55 M guaranteed).
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Safety
Justin Reid appears to get better and better and beyond a few lapses, he appears to be a good one. Bryan Cook has returned to form and should be able to make up for any problems that come with the loss of Mike Edwards. With Chamarri Connor moving up to play the slot and Nic Jones offering similar capabilities, the Safety room should be as flexible as ever.
Expectations: Safeties should be improved — with some growth and Dave Merritt’s instruction — in 2024.
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S-P-E-C-I-A-L T-E-A-M-S
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With Harrison Butker back to kick field goals, and James Winchester back to be the long snapper, and new-by punter Matt Araiza — AKA: “The Punt God” — in to replace Tommy Townsend, the only question is Matt Araiza as the Holder.
Expectations: Araiza appears to be fine as a holder (watch him blast a couple of Punts below) plus James Winchester and Harrison Butker will round out a terrific room (0:59).
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne