Listed here are three causes to be optimistic concerning the Chiefs in 2024.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
Solely 28, Mahomes already has a résumé that might advantage Corridor of Fame consideration. Per BetMGM, he’s one in every of 5 quarterbacks with three or extra Tremendous Bowl rings (Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman).
In 16 video games final season, Mahomes posted the second-lowest passer ranking (92.6) of his profession, which was nonetheless above the league common (89). Unsurprisingly, Trevor Sikkema charges him as one of the best QB within the league, putting him in his personal tier.
Anticipate Mahomes to re-enter the MVP dialog in 2024. As of Monday, FanDuel offers him one of the best odds (+500) to win the award for the third time forward of Buffalo Payments QB Josh Allen and Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud.
Improved receiving corps
One cause Mahomes’ numbers dipped final season was inconsistent pass-catchers who struggled to make explosive performs. Per Professional Soccer Reference, the Chiefs led the league in drops (44) and ranked second to final in common depth of goal (6.2 yards).
Kansas Metropolis prioritized upgrading its receiving corps this offseason, signing WR Marquise Brown to a one-year, $7M deal and drafting Texas’ Xavier Worthy with the twenty eighth total choose. Mahomes indicated these strikes ought to reignite the Chiefs’ downfield passing assault.
“I feel this 12 months we’ll have a crew that is constructed to throw the ball deep,” Mahomes just lately stated on “The Pat McAfee Present.” “Coach [Andy] Reid’s been preaching all of it offseason, we’ll get again to throwing the deep ball. I’ve to be sensible once we do this, however on the similar time I need to be that explosive offense that we have seen prior to now.”
Third-year cornerback Trent McDuffie is able to change L’Jarius Sneed
In March, the Chiefs dealt Sneed — who allowed zero landing catches in 16 video games final season — to the Tennessee Titans. Kansas Metropolis wants McDuffie to fill Sneed’s footwear and turn out to be a lockdown nook. He appears to imagine he can do this.
“I do not know if it is a want, however it’s positively one thing that, as a competitor, it is 100% what I need to do, attending to line up in opposition to one of the best receivers every week,” McDuffie stated of assuming Sneed’s position, by way of The Atheltic’s Nate Taylor. “That is why I am doing what I am doing.”
McDuffie, who earned a first-team All-Professional nod in 2023, ought to give Chiefs followers loads of confidence. In 16 video games final season, the 23-year-old defensive again allowed a career-best two TD catches and 490 receiving yards in protection.
