Chiefs Headliners, 12.16.23

Laddie Morse

With four more games to go in the 2023 NFL season, it’s now or never time. Every game is like a playoff game and if these Kansas City Chiefs are going to make a run for the Super Bowl, it begins tomorrow versus the New England Patriots. If things don’t work out over the next four-plus games, there’s always the offseason to look forward to.

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David Bell and I are going to cover this topic in a separate article but for now: I think K.C. should Franchise Tag Chris Jones and sign as many of their other free agents as possible. Lining them in in terms of priority is as follows (according to moi). These are the free agents the Chiefs have this coming offseason according to OvertheCap.com:

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DT Chris Jones – Franchise Tag for $19,749,000 (from OvertheCap.com)

CB L’Jarius Sneed – re-sign him, if possible

DE Mike Danna – resign him, if possible

LB Willie Gay – re-sign him to a long term deal (he’s a vocal leader)

WR Mecole Hardman – Let him walk (for now)

Safety Mike Edwards – Let him walk (draft another Safety)

LB Drue Tranquill – Re-sign him if possible (be more possible if K.C. wins SB)

LT Donovan Smith – Let him walk and use Wanya Morris in his place

Punter Tommy Townsend – re-sign him to a long term deal if possible

RB Jerick McKinnon – re-sign him later… if possible

TE Jodi Fortson – re-sign him to a longer term deal if possible

LS James Winchester – re-sign him

DL Tershawn Warton – re-sign him to a longer term deal if possible

OL Nick Allegretti – re-sign him

OL Prince Tega-Wanogho – re-sign him and give him a shot at RT

TE Blake Bell – let him walk

WR Richie James – re-sign him

QB Blaine Gabbert – re-sign him

LB Darius Harris – re-sign him

DL Malik Herring – re-sign him

LB Jack Cochrane – re-sign him

DB Nazeeh Johnson – re-sign him

OL Mike Caliendo – let him walk

LB Cole Christensen – re-sign later if possible

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The Chiefs have four more games in the 2023 season to be played. They are against:

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With the Raiders beating up the Chargers this past Monday night, 63-to-21, it looks like our toughest game will be against the Raiders next weekend, on Christmas day no less. Since the Chiefs will be facing all backup QBs, they should win out. We’ll have to wait and see on that one.

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Patrick Mahomes is normally in the MVP race at this time of the year. For him to win it this time around, all of his competitors will have to have four bad games, one after another, while Mahomes plays the best ball he’s played… of the season anyway. The other possible winner of the MVP Race includes these players (and the odds are shown), offered by Bleacher Report:

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• QB Dak Prescott: +150

• QB Brock Purdy: +185

• QB Lamar Jackson: +475

• QB Jalen Hurts: +650

• WR Tyreek Hill: +1600

• QB Patrick Mahomes: +1600

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Dak Prescott and the Cowboys will be playing the Bills this weekend and ESPN’s Steven A. says QB Josh Allen will out preform him. So, if the Bills defense makes Dak look really bad it could lead to Mahomes picking up ground this weekend, especially since I beleive the Chiefs will put a huge whippin’ on the Pats. BTW, Allen is next in line behind Mahomes for the MVP Award.

I want everyone to know I care little about the MVP Award since the only award that really means anything is the Super Bowl ring. Also, I find it laughable that Brock Purdy is even in this race.

The biggest issue might end up being the coaches that move on from this season to next. If these Chiefs make a solid run to end this season, and then at least amke it back to another Super Bowl, I anticipate a number of coaches being offered jobs elsewhere. The first person to go may end up being DC Steve Spagnuolo as his defense has elevated itslef this year and that may end up getting him another Head Coaching job… which he’s already said he wants.

WR Tyreek Hill has 1,542 receiving yards and 12 TDs. A Wide Receiver hasn’t won the MVP Race… ever. The only non-QB to win it was, Adrian Peterson, and he was a RB. Could this be the year a WR wins the MVP Award?

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Chamarri (pronounced: chuh-MAR-ee) Conner was drafted in the 4th round with the 119th pick overall just last year. Conner comes out of Virginia Tech and many may recall that I thought that draft was so loaded last year, that the top 100 picks in that draft could be taken until pick 120, and you would still come away with a top 100 value. The Chiefs have been loading up on defensive backfield players of high quality… of course… I think part of that has to do with the Coaching, and Dave Merritt, in this case has done an exceptional job over the last few seasons.

At the time of the draft, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said Conner will project to the nickel, that he’s tough and athletic, plus he’s an excellent blitzer. I just hope the development of Conner doesn’t mean the Chiefs will be moving on from L’Jarius Sneed, but if they do, I trust in Merritt just as much as we often say: trust in Veach.

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How many ways can you say… we-been-bery-bery-bad-dis-year-Santa. This WR room deserves zero gifts under their tree for Christmas. That is, except for maybe Rashee Rice. Rice has been nice more than naughty and he has 59 receptions, 663 receiving yards, six (6) TDs in 13 games (four more to be played). I must admit Rice has had a case of the dropsies at times this season and although I don’t think he’ll keep that up… who can say for sure.

If we had to place a lisitng of the Chiefs top receivers this year, or who might be getting the lion’s share of snaps the rest of the way. I’d go with:

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• Richie James as the Kick Returner

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MVS will still be given snaps as a long ball receiver. Yes, he’s had his drops, but they’re no moving on from him until after the season is over. So, what else can they do but believe in him and give him snaps.

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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