Arrowhead Pride
As Kansas City turns the page into the offseason, there are some very clear needs.
Before I dive into my thoughts on this game and the Kansas City Chiefs moving forward, I wanted to establish one belief I have.
Despite the loss, I’m still grateful to support the Chiefs. They have won three Super Bowls in the last six years. They have the greatest quarterback I have ever seen. He’s only 30 next year. If you had told me 10 years ago this would be what Chiefs football would look like in 2025, I would have done anything for that. Both the past, present and future are incredibly bright.
I am upset like you, but I would implore people to look beyond this game and treat others respectfully and kindly as we work through the offseason.
That being said, I do feel the need to analyze what happened in this game and what’s next. The Chiefs did get humiliated in a Super Bowl again. This time, I do feel it’s more difficult to justify. In 2021, the offensive line attrition made it untenable to win the Super Bowl. This time, except for Rashee Rice, every core piece for the Chiefs played in this game. They got spanked by a better roster and outcoached.
Now that it’s over, what’s next for the team?
Here are some of my thoughts on what the team needs to address this offseason:
If you’re going to talk about this game, you have to start with the offensive line. This felt like that Buccaneers game again, but even worse. This time, the offensive line was healthy.
The offensive line was an issue the entire season, especially at left tackle. Neither Kingsley Suamataia nor Wanya Morris played well enough to hold that job.
D.J. Humphries never got a chance to catch a rhythm. Joe Thuney did the best impression of a left tackle he could, but his lack of length and play strength became an issue in this game. In Thuney’s absence at left guard, Mike Caliendo struggled as more tape came out on him. Trey Smith had his worst game all season, and Jawaan Taylor was once again a problem.
The biggest issue the Chiefs have to address firmly this offseason is left tackle. Enough with the stopgap and young pieces. Whoever they get at left tackle now has to be the solution. That position is too important in football to have so many concerns about it weekly. I’m not sure who the best candidate is, but the organization must address it.
Next, what happens with Trey Smith? Smith had a career season and is now a free agent. He will be in extreme demand around the league. Can the Chiefs pay him? If they don’t, how can they replace his run-blocking? At times, Smith’s run blocking was the only thing holding up the run game.
They are in a better spot on the offensive line now than they were...
