Arrowhead Pride
Welcome back to the Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Throughout the offseason, watch for your opportunity to submit your Kansas City Chiefs questions in The Feed, which is found on AP’s home page.
With the team’s mandatory minicamp in the rear-view, we won’t see the Chiefs again until they hit Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph for training camp late in July. Let’s see what’s on readers’ minds.
Can the running backs help enough in the passing game to offset not having a true star at pass catcher?
The short answer is that the running backs had better be a boost to the passing game. The Chiefs need an immediate return on their investment in the run game — and that is not only considering a lucrative contract for Kenneth Walker and trading up the draft’s third day for Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson.
The Chiefs also brought in experienced run-game voices to the offensive coaching staff, with returning coordinator Eric Bieniemy and new running backs coach DeMarco Murray. For the investment the Chiefs have made in their athletic interior offensive line trio, we also need to see backs going for large gains on screen plays.
Walker has repeatedly said in interviews since joining the Chiefs that he expects to be used more in the passing game in Kansas City than he was in Seattle.
Most would consider 2022 to be the last great year for Kansas City’s offense. In that season, the team’s top three running backs combined for 793 receiving yards. Even more production in the passing game from running backs is probably needed this season for the offense to truly rebound. As quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers, we will also need to see the backs stepping up in pass protection immediately.
Are we brutally thin at safety and linebacker?
It is hard to make definitive predictions about the two most tackling-focused positions in non-contact practices, but I think there are encouraging signs for both.
I think the Chiefs adding Alohi Gillman’s coverage skills is flying under the radar as an important signing. Third-year pro Jaden Hicks — despite sporting a yellow practice jersey — appeared to be having a strong offseason per media present for the open looks at practice.
Most importantly for the position, the Chiefs have added multiple slot corner candidates, meaning Chamarri Conner appears set to focus only on playing safety.
Linebacker depth depends on whether second-year pro Jeffrey Bassa sees more of the field on defense. Ultimately, the Chiefs must replace a very important role left by departing Leo Chenal, but the SAM linebacker position rarely yields a high snap count. The Chiefs appear to have shifted second-year man Ethan Downs’ position from defensive end to linebacker. Downs will presumably compete with Cooper McDonald to replace Chenal.
Any positive takeaways regarding second year wide receiver Jalen Royals?
Royals drew a shoutout from team reporter Matt McMullen on the second day of minicamp....
