The AFC Arms Race

The AFC Arms Race

So the legal Free Agency tampering period is just starting. Already the Chiefs find themselves lagging a bit behind their competition. Chiefs fans are often irrational like other fan bases. The only thing the team could have done recently was to make trades or sign their current players. But many are frustrated to see the Broncos and Chargers improving.

The Chiefs

The Brown tag is the most significant action by far. Orlando Brown, Jr. Orlando Brown Jr. has been franchise tagged, so he is in the house for next season at the least. I expect the team to get an extension done with him prior to the season.

A small move was signing Josh Gordon. Maybe with a full year in the system, he will be able to contribute. Hopefully, he will not be looked at to fill the 2nd wide receiver role, but as depth, with a possible high ceiling, this is also a solid move. So let’s look at the two monster deals so far. As far as the followers of the Chiefs, they are well aware of the lack of cap space to take action as of March 14th, and Fans, pundits, writers, and followers are waiting to see what happens next.

Minor signings have occurred. Fans, pundits, and writers are waiting for the next move to be made by Brett Veach.

The Broncos

The Broncos acquiring Russell Wilson was the largest deal here in my estimation.

He used to be and still could be argued to be, an elite quarterback. The Broncos paid a pretty low price if he is still elite. If he’s simply very good then the price was likely fair. Two 1sts, two 2nd round picks, a later round swap, and 3 players 2 of whom will likely contribute in a positive way were traded for him. It is my view that this trade puts the Broncos clearly in the running for a division title. A 7-10 team last year could easily reverse that record or even go 11-6 or better with a solid roster and a quarterback of Wilson’s caliber. For years I’ve watched with glee as the Broncos faltered with squat at this position. I was hoping for a few more years. I’m not sure if the Broncos have drafted a solid quarterback in their history, and often are able to just get these players from other teams, Elway, Manning, and now Wilson. It’s a franchise that does not deserve it, but somehow they were finally able to solve this position at least from all appearances.

The Chargers

The Chargers gave up very little to get Khalil Mack. They only gave up a 2nd and a 6th round pick. The only downside I see if the Chargers don’t restructure Mack is they are looking at cap hits the next 3 years of right around 20 million, and I don’t think they have an easy way out should Mack start to slow down. It’s a pretty big cost to pay salary-wise even if they were not giving up picks, but they clearly are going all-in now and know they have the cap space to spare with Justin Herbert on his rookie deal. This trade does move the needle for them, but nothing like what the Broncos deal does. The Chargers ended the season 9-8, and I can easily see them doing better this year. Maybe at the same range as the Broncos at 11-6 or so.

The most significant player acquisition was the signing of trade for Bears DE Khalil Mack. As the Broncos made a significant trade, the Chargers bolstered the pass rush, ostensibly to combat the aerial game of the Chiefs, and now the Broncos. what remains to be seen is what more they will do.

The Raiders

Of all four teams in the AFC Wes Division, the Raiders and Chiefs are “tied” in regards to news about making moves. First and foremost is they had dismissed HC Jon Gruden. Then they fired GM Mike Mayock and hired Dave Ziegler. To read about this, see this brief: https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-hire-dave-ziegler-as-general-manager

A three-time, all-conference honoree as a wide receiver, punt returner and kick returner at John Carroll. Ziegler holds several significant school records, including career return yards, return average and touchdowns, and obviously, he was inducted into the John Carroll Hall of fame in 2021. He was also a team-mate with the Raider’s new head coach, Josh McDaniels.

At this point, any judgment about the Raiders is on hold. It appears that they are rolling with Derek Carr who led the team into the playoffs in 2021.

With a new Head coach and GM, the Raiders are in a state of flux. Look for news to follow for the men in silver and black.

The West

As it stands today the Chiefs have done little among a list of tasks that need to be completed. The Broncos have done the most and the most costly in trading for Russell Wilson.

These divisional games will be bigger than ever. Hold on for the ride as free agency is about to start up. The Chiefs have a lot of options on how to improve their team. Two or three key moves still put them in the driver’s seat in the division. And I’m confident Brett Veach will get some really nice stuff done. I’m not even writing about the Raiders who added a new coach and they were the only other team that made the playoffs in the division last year.

With Wilson, the Broncos have made the move to make them competitive in seeking the AFC West Crown. You can make the decision yourselves as to whether it will be enough. The Chiefs have won six division titles sequentially and own a recent huge advantage over the Broncos for six seasons.

Vegas has not made any moves that should frighten the Chiefs. The Chargers–er–well, they are who they are. We will not know for days what other action the four teams in the AFC West will take. It is a wait-and-see type of deal.

Still, The AFC West is set to become the best division in football!

Shawn Sorter – ArrowheadOne