Are the Chiefs in trouble?

[patsfanincleveland]

Every team loses players. The best rosters have depth that provides adequate replacements. The Chiefs' OLine replacements were horrible. Missing the tackles, or another skill position, in inevitable. The Chief's QB was OK, the WRs were OK, the TE was OK, the heart of the DLine was OK, so overall the Chiefs were quite "injury lucky" in 2020. That will not repeat. And if the Chief's do not rebuild their depth, while their salary cap gets a lot tighter, they will become the '13 and '14 Seahawks.

It's depth and adjustments.

Let's put it this way. BB would have had that crew much, much more competitive.

 

[sean10mm]

The Chiefs aren't in trouble exactly, but they are in a tough situation. Losing the SB and then having a bunch of FA to pay is a scenario where a lot of teams crap the bed (Seahawks, Rams)

 

[Sciz]

I think part of the concern from Chiefs fans is that this may not be far from what the team looks like going forward. The tackles are both over 30 and recovering from long term injuries. Four WRs other than Hill got extended looks, and none of them look like good enough #2 options (and Robinson and Watkins are free agents anyway). Their two $20 million per year pass rushers got them to 20th in sack rate and 12th in total pressure rate. They're not addressing all of those in one offseason.

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

Are they?

 

[GreenCow]

Bills are taking the AFC next year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Not so sure how they will challenge when Mahomes contract is 45million in a couple years. It's a team game and they will lose talent.

Not saying they won't be a team that's in it every year and competitive. But I see them as becoming the Seahawks with russell wilson. Good team goes to the playoffs but not exactly a contender because the QB has to do everything

Mahomes contract won't be a $45M hit in a couple of year. Why? Because they can convert that roster bonus into a Signing bonus and amortize the amount over 5 years. Much like they will do this year and quickly get themselves under the cap. His roster bonus this year is 21.7M. Divide that by 5 and you get 4.34M. So, that immediately frees up 17.36M this year, while pushing 4.34M into each of the next 4. Doing it in 2022 with his 27.4M roster bonus will free up 21.92M in cap space while adding 5.48M to each of the following 4 years. . Doing it again in 2023 will free up 27.52M while adding 6.88M to each of the next 4 years. .

The Chiefs are actually aren't as bad off as the numbers would lead you to believe. Especially when you consider how easily they can free up cap space with Mahomes contract. They can do the same thing with Kelce, Hill and Fisher to free up cap space. More than enough to sign draft picks, UFA and a priority Free Agent in all likelihood.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

Saying that KC is in trouble is a little bit strong. Perhaps a fair question would be have they peaked?

Maybe the question is if they are on the Green Bay model?

Jake from State Farm wants to know.

 

[doesntmatter1]

They will be fine as long as they have Hill's speed and a decent oline.

Also Mahome doesn't seem durable at all. Always limping like Big Ben except Pat doesn't look tough when battling an injury like some guys. He has this slightly feminine switch when limping that just looks silly like those speed walkers that try to technically not run. This isn't all that relative to this discussion but I had to comment on it lol.

 

[BritPat]

It’s been 20 years and you still haven’t learned? Any team with Tom Brady as the QB should be the favorites for next year’s Super Bowl. Especially when Tom Brady’s team are the defending champion.

If we're talking history, let's not ignore that no team in nearly 20 years has defended their title. Including teams QB's by Brady.

 

[notex]

KC is an example of why BB's model works so well. You get all these hot-shot star players (Kelce/Mahomes/Honey Badger/Hill/Watkins ) etc.. And you pay all of them, leaving no depth. Next comes cap trouble, then you lose the next set of stars that emerge because you are hamstrung by bad contracts.

Not saying KC is falling apart, but they are likely going to take a step back next year due to salary cap squeeze. I think they will still be the favorite for the AFC/Superbowl (I am guessing there are already odds - havent looked).

 

[Uptown]

 

[50-yard-line]

It was ONE game against a time that has a tremendous pass rush, speedy linebackers and good defensive backs. Any team would have struggled against the Bucs yesterday. There are very few of these teams in the NFL with this balance on defense and offense. Chiefs will continue to make mince meat of 95% of the teams during the regular season.

Who is their competition in the AFC...maybe the ravens. The bills have a way to go.

They are certainly NOT in trouble. They will be favorites in most years to be the AFC representative in the SB.

When they beef up their offensive line and get a big bruising RB, they will once again be a force next year.

They are the class of the AFC, but it's not lopsided. Cleveland would have had them in the divisional Round if the crew that reffed the Superbowl had done that game. One play in particular saved the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

 

[amfootball]

That's not turf toe. Wow.

 

[50-yard-line]

Hardman for Harry?

Harry gets to play with an elite qb so we will get to see if Pat can get anything out of him and we add some much needed speed to the offense.

KC's entire offensive philosophy revolves around speed. Hardman ain't going nowhere.

 

[Sciz]

A good example of how things have gone wrong for the Chiefs' offense...Mecole Hardman had 238 yards before the catch in their first 11 games, and 21 in their last 8, including negative yardage (meaning his average catch is behind the line of scrimmage) in all three playoff games. The vertical element of his game just disappeared over the last few months.

 

[50-yard-line]

This is one of the biggest misnombers in sports legacy. Another really bad example of group think and common "knowledge".

Lynch was, I won't say terrible, but definitely below average back in 3/4 down and 2 or less yardage situations. Now a lot of that was likely not on him as I assume many teams loaded the box in those situations. On goaline runs from inside the one he was ranked 30th over the previous 5 year span leading up to that play. I am sure that was a stat not lost on Carrol.

I cannot stand Carrol but that was a good safe call that would of probably beat the other 30 teams in the NFL in that situation. That was simply an example of being outcoached and the victim of a player with great awareness in the biggest of moments.

An incomplete pass also gives them another play. A stuffed run wouldn't.

The odds of throwing a pick there are astronomically low - probably as low as fumbling.

Carroll didn't make the wrong call. Belichick let the clock run to force that play, and the Pats had practiced against it all week. Pure preparation. No other team/coach would have played it like BB did (yet another reason the hate for him on this board is utterly ridiculous).

 

[50-yard-line]

The Chiefs fate will be determined by the draft because guys will get older and some will leave. Bad drafts was one of the major reasons it ruined the Rams in the early 2000's. The Seahawks are hanging around even with their poor drafts. They landed arguably the league's best WR, but they can't draft D. And bad drafts ended the Pats latest run.

Chiefs are becoming a one trick pony with their "throw deep" mentality which guys like Hill won't last forever. Also, their offense has always been gimmicky and need to focus on running the ball more.

Bad drafts tend to happen to teams that pick 29-32 every year.

 

[XLIX]

Mahomes contract won't be a $45M hit in a couple of year. Why? Because they can convert that roster bonus into a Signing bonus and amortize the amount over 5 years. Much like they will do this year and quickly get themselves under the cap. His roster bonus this year is 21.7M. Divide that by 5 and you get 4.34M. So, that immediately frees up 17.36M this year, while pushing 4.34M into each of the next 4. Doing it in 2022 with his 27.4M roster bonus will free up 21.92M in cap space while adding 5.48M to each of the following 4 years. . Doing it again in 2023 will free up 27.52M while adding 6.88M to each of the next 4 years.

The Chiefs have a window to compete for titles, and they are currently in it, but you can only kick the can so far down the road with regards to Mahomes' salary. If you are suggesting above that they restructure his roster bonus every year then you math is extremely faulty regarding the true cap savings.

They have to pay the piper eventually. They will discover why having a good team for a few years is one thing, but having a 20 year dynasty is something else entirely.

 

[patsfanincleveland]

The Chiefs have a window to compete for titles, and they are currently in it, but you can only kick the can so far down the road with regards to Mahomes' salary. If you are suggesting above that they restructure his roster bonus every year then you math is extremely faulty regarding the true cap savings.

They have to pay the piper eventually. They will discover why having a good team for a few years is one thing, but having a 20 year dynasty is something else entirely.

The piper is sooner if the cap doesn't go up.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

They are the class of the AFC, but it's not lopsided. Cleveland would have had them in the divisional Round if the crew that reffed the Superbowl had done that game. One play in particular saved the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

I agree the refs screwed the Browns, but it's a far cry to say the Browns would have definitely won the game if it weren't for that play.