Chiefs’ Off-Season Opinion: Fortifying the Offensive Line, Letting a Well-Known Player Walk
February 25, 2023
As the final confetti pieces get picked up and the championship celebration ends, the Kansas City Chiefs’ attention must quickly turn to one thing: positioning themselves to win it all again.
While 31 other teams prepare to take the Chiefs’ spot at the top of the league, Kansas City knows they must get busy and make key decisions. Handling their impending free agents and focusing on the draft in April is already well underway.
The Chiefs currently have roughly 3.5 million dollars in cap space to work with as they enter the off-season. Cuts and contract restructure will be coming in the next few weeks to give the team more flexibility.
Here’s what needs to get done by General Manager Brett Veach this off-season to ensure the Chiefs are back in the big game next February.
Promote Matt Nagy to offensive coordinator
This one is obvious with the departure of longtime offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who joined the Washington Commanders. Nagy was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator in 2017 before getting a head coaching job with the Chicago Bears. Now that the position has opened, it’s inevitable that he will take back over as a play caller.
Re-sign Orlando Brown Jr to a multiyear contract
Keeping franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes upright and healthy is a must for the Chiefs if they want to even dream of running it back. It won’t be easy to get a deal done with the Pro Bowl left tackle, however, as Brown turned down a six-year offer last summer. The Chiefs need Brown to sign a contract that will keep him in town for another half decade to protect Mahomes.
Let JuJu Smith-Schuster walk during free agency
This one won’t be popular among fans, but from a business perspective, it’s a must. The Chiefs signed the veteran receiver last off-season to a one-year prove-it deal. He did just that, posting over 900 yards after the exit of star wideout Tyreek Hill.
The problem is that JuJu is far and away the best receiver on the open market and is projected to be around 14.5 million dollars a season, according to Spotrac. The Chiefs need to either bring him back on a pay cut or wave goodbye.
Sign a veteran wideout
While the Chiefs shouldn’t overspend for a receiver this off-season, they must bring someone in to replace some of their impending free agents. Some names to monitor are Marvin Jones, Jarvis Landry and Jamison Crowder due to their veteran presence and affordability.
Draft a right tackle
The Chiefs need to support the right side of the offensive line with a younger and better tackle. Andrew Wylie played at an adequate level in his five seasons in Kansas City, but he is set for free agency.
The Chiefs need to draft and develop someone who will become an anchor on the offensive line moving forward. If they were to use the draft to fill the voided position, they’d have three of their five linemen on rookie contracts.
Winning back-to-back Super Bowls doesn’t just happen on one cold February night, it happens with these decisions throughout the spring and into the new season. Free agency begins March 15, and the NFL draft will take place in Kansas City April 27-29.
