Bolts From The Blue
With the Chargers and Chiefs kicking off later today, let’s get a refresher on this week’s opponent with someone who knows them best. Today, we’re joined by Jared Sapp of our Chiefs sister Site, Arrowhead Pride, to preview tonight’s primetime divisional matchup.
Let’s go ahead and dive right in!
1. After throwing for less than 4,000 yards for the first time in his starting career, do you expect Mahomes to bounce back a bit in 2025? Does he really need to when the defense is as good as it is? What kind of year do you expect from Mahomes this year?
The Chiefs proved last year they could win games with Mahomes putting up middling numbers, but I think they will make it a point to play like a team with the league’s best quarterback should. Mahomes always says the right things, but he is well aware of the disappointing stats and takes some pundits are showing after the 2024 season.
I do think he will bounce back. With the Chiefs’ schedule, I will be surprised if they are again in position for him to rest the final regular season game as he did last year. I think the protection will be a learning experience at times given the youth on the left side, but I do think by midseason, the Chiefs offensive line will be a major upgrade over last season. Four players lined up at left tackle for the Chiefs in 2024, and Mahomes never appeared to fully trust any of them.
The last time the Chiefs’ tackle play was adequate (and Orlando Brown Jr. was far from spectacular that season) was 2022. Mahomes threw for 5250 yards and 41 touchdowns. If rookie Josh Simmons can approach that level, and early returns have been promising, I think Mahomes will likely approach 5000 yards and 40 touchdowns but likely fall just short of both marks.
2. One of the biggest storylines that will follow the Chiefs this year is whether or not this is Travis Kelce’s final season before retirement. What do you think he’ll do once the year is over? Do you foresee him leading the team again in receiving yards and receptions?
If Kelce leads the team in any receiving category, the Chiefs’ season has probably gone very badly at least regarding injury. Rashee Rice clearly had passed Kelce at the start of last season, though we won’t see Rice back on the field until October. Down the stretch and in the playoffs, Xavier Worthy had become the primary target. Worthy would be my pick to lead the Chiefs in receiving stats.
Kelce all but confirmed he would have retired if the Chiefs had executed the three-peat. I don’t think he has ever wanted to set up a farewell tour, so I expect a lot of cryptic and non-committal responses to inevitable retirement questions. But I suspect 2025 to be his last year. The Chiefs kept four tight ends on this year’s active roster and seem to...
