Chiefs Unanswered Offseason Questions

The Kansas City Chiefs have some unanswered questions. Yes, the offseason has been the most exciting in recent memory, probably since head coach Andy Reid’s first year in K.C. following their abysmal 2-14 season of 2012. Although this offseason has been filled with changes like never before, there are still more changes that need to be made, So, let’s take a look at the biggest Chiefs unanswered questions that remain.

Will WR Sammy Watkins perform at a high level and remain uninjured in 2019?

Watkins hasn’t played in a complete season in 5 years, his rookie season of 2014. He averaged 1,014 receiving yards in his first two seasons in the NFL but he’s only averaged 514 yards in the last 3 years. If he can remain healthy and play in every game he should have a huge impact for the Chiefs this year.  According to the MVP, Patrick Mahomes, Watkins should do just that this season, have an impact:

“To see how hard he works, you can tell he’s slimmed down, he’s running really fast, he still has that power that you see every Sunday. For him to be out here working hard, you see it every single day stacking on top of each other. You know that he’s primed and ready to go out there this season.”

What’s Andy Reid got up his sleeve?

Ever since Brett Veach held his hand up and spread his fingers wide apart to show how tall the stack of 3×5 cards were that represented the new plays that Andy Reid ws adding to his playbook, I’ve been in trance mode imagining the variations he will employ in the Patrick Mahomes led offense in 2019. It doesn’t do my imagination justice to say I’m ecstatic about the possibilities. While I’ve been hoping for more double and triple TE sets, it doesn’t look like that been in the plans… unless of course, Brett Veach still has a tight end up his sleeve while playing poker with the other GMs of the league. While dreams of sugar plums dance in my head I’m also a realist and I think we can expect more of what Andy Reid has been all about in his career as a coach: a rushing offense addict. Don;t agree? Take a look at this summary of his record over the past 6 seasons:

Now, we know that Reid won’t suddenly turn in Mr. Marty and start playing all out smash mouth football but, he will be mixing in more running backs out of the backfield so he get his RB one-on-one against defenders in space. I’d expect Reid to do even more this year to blur the lines between the running game and the passing game. Meaning, RBs will be WRs and WRs will be RBs. Only watching the regular season game unfold will tell the measure of this tale.

Will we ever see the Linebackers return to glory?

One of the toughest transitions last year was watching LB great Derrick Johnson march off to Raiders-ville and on top of that having to witness both Anthony Hitchen and Reggie Ragland sticking up the joint. It was a… from Riches to Rags… proposition and now I’m left wondering if the Chiefs will ever send another LB to the Pro Bowl? You see DJ went to 4 and became the Chiefs all-time leading tackler. Now, it seems that the answer to this one rests upon Steve Spagnuolo and LB coach Matt House’s shoulders. However, it does appear they have the proper clay to mold into a stud LB corp, which GM Brett Veach has provided. So, it’s Veach Blanket Bingo Party time as the Chiefs new GM has completely overhauled the linebacking unit since John Dorsey exited in June of 2017: Reggie Ragland, Anthony Hitchens, Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann, Damien Wilson, and Darron Lee: all Veach acquisitions. Darron Lee seems like the most likely candidate to get postseason accolades. Hitchens was the Chiefs leading tackler in 2018 with 135 and FYI… DJ never had that many tackles in a season. Now, if they can just get Hit-man to make those tackles near the line of scrimmage. Only father time will tell.

Will 2nd Round Pick, Safety Juan Thornhill, make a run for NFL defensive rookie of the year ?

Yes, I’m aware that rookie Safety Juan Thornhill weaked his calf and sat out last week’s Thursday practice but he’s been tearing up OTAs and getting praise from Andy Reid. Yes, I’ve heard all the talk before about not buying into the preseason hype (and the offseason hype as well) but Thornhill has looked like a winner. Brett Veach said he and his team had a first round grade on him so he was surprised when Thornhill fell to the end of the first round in the draft, pick 63 overall:

Thornhill could end up Robin to Mathieu’s Batman… at least we can hope.

Will Mecole be a hard man for CBs to cover?

Everyone and their grandmother seems to be projecting Mecole Hardman for greatness in his rookie year, especially if you-know-who isn’t on the roster in September.

So, what are the influencing factors for Hardman to have a breakout rookie year?

1. He’s playing with Sammy Watkins as the #1 guy which will likely be a strike against Hardman.
2. Even if Hill is not back it seems a higher probability tht Hardman will be the Maclin (his rookie year) to Jackson than… the Bowe to his Webb.
3. Being confronted with Andy Reid’s playbook, it seems more likely he’d have a Hill-like year (above) … if … there was no Watkins or any otehr WR with ability o nthe roster. However, I expect Robinson and  Dieter, plus: Kemp, or Custis, or Thompson to all make an impact of some kind which will also mean another strike against Hardman excelling in his inaugural year.
4. A big plus for Hardman is the QB he’s playing with. You never know with Patrick Mahomes if he will go off and connect a new WR.
5. Speed is also Hardman’s biggest weapon. This offense is designed to take advantage of someone who can stretch the field and there’s no one in the league who can bridge the distance like Patty can.

Summing it all Up

While I’m sure most people want to know if Tyreek Hill will be back this year, or if the Chiefs will sign Chris Jones soon or, or , or…. All great questions but, I didn’t say this was a piece about the Chiefs biggest offseason questions. All of these questions are not going to be answered in the offseason of course but after the season takes off. The first preseason game is 8 weeks and two days from now and some of these questions will begin to be answered then. I can’t wait.

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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