After winning their third Super Bowl in team history in 2022 with a game-winning field goal by Pro Bowl kicker Harrison Butker that ended the game by a score of 38-35 against the Eagles, the Chiefs had a huge celebration at the White House and in Kansas City with the Chiefs Kingdom. Now the Kansas City Chiefs are poised to run it back to the Super Bowl another time in the 2023-2024 season.
Even though the Chiefs’ roster is heavily similar to the Super Bowl champion roster from last season, there were still some key players they lost and some that were gained in free agency.
2023 Kansas City Chiefs
Key Losses;
Offensive Linemen: Orlando Brown Jr., Andrew Wylie
Wide Receivers: Mecole Hardman, Juju Smith-Schuster
Safeties: Juan Thornhill
Defensive Ends: Frank Clark
Key New Players:
Safteies: Mike Edwards
Offensive Linemen: Jawaan Taylor, Donovan Smith
Linebackers: Drue Tranquill
Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney (19) – Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The biggest position loss the Cheifs now have is at the wide receiver position. With Juju and Mecole off the roster, the Chiefs’ are without an experienced number-one wide receiver. Some people around the Chiefs organization believe that Maques Valdes-Scantling and Kadarius Toney can fill that void on the roster.
In my opinion, I think Toney has more of a chance to do this type of step up on the roster because of how he played last year and the youth that he has with only being 24 years old. I always love the Cheetah type speed Toney has when running on kick returns or after catches. I really think with Coach Reid and Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy; he might be able to continue his growth into an even better wideout for Mahomes.
Along with all the new signings the Chiefs made this offseason so far, they had many interesting NFL Draft choices which turned out to be very defensive-heavy. Kansas City was also the host city for the NFL Draft which allowed the Chiefs to get another later-round pick in the draft. The support of the draft in and around the city was pure excitement as well.
In terms of where they could go in terms of the future depends on whether they can keep up the success they’re having in their championship window, which is right now. They sure have a lot of talent on that roster, like Mahomes, Kelce, and Chris Jones, that can help them continue to be successful. Right now, I think they need to go after a wide receiver like Deandre Hopkins or another number one or number two receiver that can give them more depth at the position.
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Chiefs LB Nick Bolton (32) – Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the Chiefs have Kelce to throw to a lot of time, but I do not think that’ll help with continuing to build a winning dynasty. This is because, sooner or later, teams will know they have one guy that they can lock down to stop them, which will hurt them in the long run. If they can sign some extra wide receiver depth, I think they can win another Super Bowl next season.
Also, Coach Reid also has a huge role in their success. He’s truly a players’ coach and knows how to be a true leader along with blending tough love and respect for his players. If things keep going the way they have, The Chiefs window for sure hasn’t closed, and it’s been proven because of the consistency they have in terms of their star players and keeping them around as well as their play on the field.
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