Kansas City Chiefs’ Glaring Weakness Revealed, How They Can Fix it
The Kansas City Chiefs navigated their way to a second consecutive Super Bowl hoisting the Lombardi Trophy following quarterback Patrick Mahomes‘ overtime heroics.
However, some areas of the roster may need to be upgraded if a three-peat is in the cards.
After trading L’Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans, cornerback comes into focus as a potential weakness in Steve Spagnuolo’s stifling defense, but, there might not be a more glaring deficiency on the Chiefs‘ roster than at left tackle.
Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City head coach Andy Reid during the first half against the Buffalo Bills for the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (3) in the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Analyst Calls for Kansas City Chiefs to Upgrade LT
According to NFL analyst Bill Barnwell, the Kansas City Chiefs need to focus through the remainder of free agency and during the NFL Draft on protecting Mahomes’ blindside.
It just might prove difficult to solve before the draft gets underway.
“There’s not really a left tackle remaining on the market who should command a premium,” Barnwell writes for ESPN. “However. Many — including Becton, Bakhtiari and Smith — have injury histories that would cause teams to hesitate in handing out a long-term deal.
The Chiefs also have to work on extensions for other players in their lineup, including linebacker Nick Bolton, center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith. Bringing in a veteran on a reasonable deal, as they did with Donovan Smith in May, would give Kansas City a hedge if Morris isn’t ready to step in at left tackle on a full-time basis.”
The Kansas City Chiefs currently have approximately $26.32 million in cap space, thanks to the Sneed trade and restructuring Mahomes’ contract to go bargain shopping for a tackle.
However, as Barnwell points out, there could be some internal options to fill the void or at least serve as a placeholder until an incoming rookie arrives.
“There are a couple of options on the roster,” Barnwell points out. “One is 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris, who started while Smith was sidelined due to a neck injury. Morris didn’t fare well, allowing a 14.3% pressure rate across 223 pass-blocking opportunities, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The six sacks he allowed from Week 12 onward were the third most of any player in the league, trailing only Ikem Ekwonu and Mekhi Becton.”
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid takes the field in the first quarter of the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs led 13-6 at halftime.
