P h i l l i p M a x w e l l
Since the striking of the clock at midnight on December 31st 2019, which welcomed in the 2020’s, the Kansas City Chiefs have set the standard to which every other NFL football team would strive to be. The 2020’s have produced 5 Super Bowls… 4 in which the Chiefs were participant’s, and 3 in which ended with them hoisting the NFLs most prestigious prize of all: a Lombardi Trophy… and Super Bowl Rings to go along with it, for each and every player.
Likened to the 1920’s when the United States was enjoying the boom of economic prosperity and mass consumerism, where there was nationwide euphoria while the rest of the world looked on in envy… the Kansas City Chiefs have completely and most dominantly captivated the sporting world of the 2020’s. No other team — in any sport — is even running a close second.
The “World’s Team” as the Chiefs have been dubbed by CNN’s Bob Costas, and others, have a chance to do something that no other NFL team has ever achieved, and that is to emerge victorious in 3 “consecutive” Super Bowls. While many have tried, no other NFL team has managed to pull off this impressive feat. 9 teams, the Kansas City Chiefs being one of them, have managed to win Back-to-Back Super Bowls, which is a difficult achievement on its own… but the 3-Peat has proven unattainable, up to this point in time. Can the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs pull it off?
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Can they? 2022-3, 2023-4, 2024-5
Well, that is yet to be seen, but it all starts with the retaining of Chris Jones… the man is the ultimate defensive closer. If it is going to take a 3 year, 90-ish million dollar deal in which the majority of it guaranteed to make Chris happy and keep him in KC… so be it. Just make it happen Mr. Veach. Jones is a PDB (Pocket-Disrupting-Behemoth) of a man that can put a game on ice when it is needed the most.
While the average defensive attack comes from the sides narrowing the lane and forcing the QB to step up into the pocket, the Chiefs defense can regularly cause it to implode from all directions giving a QB nowhere to hide. Chris Jones does that. Do we really want to see Chris in another Jersey, busting through our OL to get to our beloved Patrick? Uh, Heck no we don’t! Give the man his bag, and lets call this thing a wrap.
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L’Jarius Sneed
As much as I and everyone else would love to see Sneed continue to make opponents #1 receivers cry every week, I don’t see the Chiefs bringing Sneed back on a long term deal. L’Jarius has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he has been a Tier 1, Shutdown, Island of a Corner… and… Chiefs fans weren’t the only ones noticing. 31 other teams noticed it too. In spite of his ludicrous Pro Bowl snub, GMs around the league will be clamoring for his services.
Hometown discount? That might work for a veteran looking for one more chance at a ring, but not a 27-year-old superstar excited about getting his first real payday. No, L’Jarius Sneed is going to be offered a fat bag of cash elsewhere, and like Charvarius Ward, he will take it. Can’t blame them, it’s good business, but it will still hurt us Chief fans to watch them, with our heads down, walking away in defeat in the post season as they are plucking red, white and gold confetti from their hair.
I don’t believe a long-term deal will be in play for L’Jarius Sneed, but I won’t rule out the Franchise Tag either. Rental services for one more year… one more year to try and make history. It has been a minute since the Chiefs have had a shutdown Corner on both sides of the field and they might not be quite ready to say goodbye to the Sneed-McDuffie dynamic duo just yet.
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Charles Omenihu
Good News-Bad News Situation
Good news out of camp is that DE Omenihu’s surgery was a success. Bad news is Omenihu is disgruntled. Yep, the man is taking to social media saying he feels “unappreciated”… sigh. “Want to feel appreciated,” Omenihu wrote. He later added:
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“Didn’t have a full season and put up numbers.
Does that go unnoticed? Might have to do it
again to get what I want at the end.”
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Fine! Play your disgruntled tail off!
What to do with this guy? On one hand, he put up incredible numbers last season despite missing the first 6 games due to suspension, 7 sacks and 2 forced fumbles including one very big, forced fumble in the AFCCG against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. It would be very exciting to see what he could accomplish in a full 17 games plus playoffs (0:45).
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On the other hand, he is hurt, he is running his mouth, and his release could free up over $7M dollars against the cap. Doubt that happens though, so the man just needs to hush up and play his keister off earning a “fair new deal” for 2025. I can’t help but get a little giddy thinking about a pissed off Omenihu — in a contract year, on one side — the Greek Freak on the other and a freshly paid Stone Cold Jones in the middle for an entire 17 game season (in 2025). It’s the binding to complete this book, meaning, the current defense being the pages and Chris Jones being the binding that held it together, completes the book.
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Freeing Up Money
With the NFL Cap set a $255.4M, and as exciting as that news is, it won’t be enough to get the Chiefs where they need to be. Hard decisions will need to be made. Cutting Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a no-brainer. Giving Veach’s $30M dollars mistake his walking papers opens up $12 million in Cap space with only a $2M Dead Cap hit for 2024. Even with MVS somewhat stepping up in the playoffs, his overall numbers and season-long performance just doesn’t justify paying him that kind of money. This one is just too easy and I expect it to be one of the very first moves Veach makes in these upcoming days.
Some say yay, others say nay in regard to cutting Justin Reid. I suppose it could depend on if they are serious about trying to bring back both Jones and Sneed. There are $10.7M reasons why his name keeps popping up. Reid’s numbers won’t bring you to your feet, but they won’t cause you to lose your lunch either. He has performed well in Spags system and I think his veteran presence helps Spags sleep better at night. If the Chiefs see Justin Reid wearing Red and Gold down the road, I suppose a restructure of some kind is not out of the question either. None the less, with young guys like Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner waiting in the wings, along with Deon Bush, there is no telling whether Justin Reid is 100% safe or not.
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The Wide Receiver Room
I am expecting an almost complete dismantling and overhaul of the WR room, with Rashee Rice as the only man left standing, and deservedly so. In fact, one could make an argument that Rice stepped up and saved the season. I do admit, he concerned me early in the season, he had me wondering if he was related to Demetrius “Brick Hands“ Harris, but Rice eventually found his groove and became quite the dependable go-to-guy. If Veach can manage to bring in another top performer via either NFL Draft or free agency, a WR of Rice’s skill set or better, that would go a long way in possibly once again having an Offense that strikes fear in opposing Defenses. There are some really talented young WRs in this upcoming draft, it is very deep as far as WRs are concerned. Jerry Rice’s son Brenden is an example, but that would make it very difficult for the game announcers. 🤣
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In a Nutshell
Locking up Chris Jones is priority #1. From there, the rest of the puzzle pieces will fall into place. The table is set. The Chiefs really only had one glaring weakness in 2023 and that was the receiving game, and the minute Moore and Toney were — cough cough – injured, the offense started clicking. The core is just the right mixture of youth, surrounded by veterans. I truly believe in, and trust, GM Brett Veach, and that he will make the right tweaks, having this team ready to make history! The 2020’s belong to the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s coming. Get ready.
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[I came, I saw, I conquered]
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Phillip Maxwell — ArrowheadOne
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