The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of NFL history. They could be the first team to win three straight Super Bowls, a feat no one has achieved in the modern era. The Packers technically pulled it off in the ’60s, but the Super Bowl didn’t exist yet. Forget the 1929-31 Packers, too. Those seasons didn’t even have playoffs.
The Chiefs, fresh off ending a 19-year drought without a repeat champion, are favorites to three-peat. With stars like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, and a defense led by Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs have already reached six straight AFC Championship Games and won eight straight division titles.
The Chiefs’ 2023 season ended dramatically with Mahomes’ game-winning Super Bowl pass. As 2024 unfolds, we might see the best of Mahomes and Andy Reid’s squad yet. Could this be their greatest season?
2023 Season Recap: Chiefs’ Rollercoaster to Another Super Bowl Victory
For the first time since Patrick Mahomes was drafted in 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs saw their defense outperform their offense in the 2023 season. A slew of dropped passes and sloppy play plagued the team, resulting in an 11-6 record and forcing the Chiefs to play road playoff games for the first time in the Mahomes era. Despite being underdogs in three consecutive playoff rounds, the Chiefs continued to prove why they are the team to beat, ultimately securing another Super Bowl title.
Regular Season Struggles
The Chiefs’ 2023 season began on a shaky note. Key departures and injuries, like JuJu Smith-Schuster leaving for the Patriots and Travis Kelce missing Week 1, alongside Chris Jones’ contract holdout, hurt the team early. In their season opener against Detroit, receiver Kadarius Toney’s errors directly led to a 21-20 loss. Things didn’t improve offensively, as Kansas City led the NFL with 44 dropped passes.
Despite a solid defense, the Kansas City Chiefs struggled with consistency, losing games to teams like Denver and the Raiders due to turnovers and mistakes. The team suffered its worst defeat in five years against the Broncos, snapping a 16-game winning streak against them. Their scoring also faltered after halftime, with the most significant differential between first and second-half points of any team since 1970.
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Road to Redemption in the Playoffs
The Chiefs entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, and after a decisive 26-7 win over Miami, they faced their first road playoff game in Buffalo. In a thrilling match, they narrowly escaped with a victory after Buffalo missed a field goal. The AFC Championship Game against Baltimore saw the defense shine as they held off the Ravens to win 17-10, setting up another Super Bowl clash against the 49ers.
The Super Bowl Comeback
Facing a talented San Francisco 49ers team, the Chiefs found themselves in another 10-point deficit in the Super Bowl. A crucial muffed punt and timely plays from Mahomes led to a wild series of scoring drives. In a dramatic overtime scenario, Mahomes orchestrated a game-winning touchdown drive, securing a historic back-to-back Super Bowl victory for Kansas City.
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Offseason Moves By The Cheifs
Heading into the offseason, the Chiefs addressed critical areas of concern, particularly at wide receiver, by parting ways with mistake-prone players like Toney and Valdes-Scantling. The team brought back JuJu Smith-Schuster to bolster the receiving corps. Despite potential issues, such as Rashee Rice’s looming suspension for a hit-and-run incident, the Chiefs remain confident with a solid core and the leadership of Andy Reid, Mahomes, Kelce, Jones, and Spagnuolo.
Wide Receiver And Left Tackle Shifts: Key Changes And Challenges For The Chiefs
After costly mistakes by Kadarius Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in 2023, the Chiefs focused on upgrading their wide receiver group. Both are now off the roster. Kansas City brought back JuJu Smith-Schuster, their de-facto No. 1 receiver, in 2022. Although he had a quiet stint with the Patriots in 2023, he adds reliable depth and familiarity with the Chiefs’ offense.
Potential Impact of New and Returning Receivers
Rashee Rice is expected to lead the receiving corps again this year, but his involvement in a hit-and-run accident in Dallas this spring could lead to a suspension. While there were no fatalities, the NFL may still issue a suspension under its personal conduct policy. However, this might not happen until 2025, given the league’s usual wait for legal proceedings to conclude. This situation remains a consideration for Rice’s role in the 2024 season.
Kansas City also signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown from the Cardinals in free agency. Brown, seen as an upgrade over MVS, has yet to prove he can make game-changing catches in the playoffs like Valdes-Scantling did to earn his two rings. While he is a better option than Toney, Brown is injured and will miss the opener against Baltimore, his former team.
The Kansas City Chiefs have also bolstered their roster with Xavier Worthy, the fastest wide receiver in the 2024 draft, thanks to a trade with Buffalo. Worthy ran a blazing 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, setting a record. Though ultra-fast receivers have often struggled to succeed in the NFL, Worthy has the potential to excel in an offense led by Mahomes and coached by Andy Reid. Early signs are promising, as shown by his impressive 39-yard gain in the preseason.
Worthy could be a strong WR2 with WR1 potential, especially considering Hollywood Brown’s current injury status. Comparisons to DeSean Jackson, whom Reid coached to his best seasons in Philadelphia, add to Worthy’s hype. He offers a fresh dynamic for Mahomes, who has endured the struggles of Mecole Hardman tracking deep balls or Toney’s costly mistakes.
Offensive Line: Left Tackle Uncertainty
Still, Mahomes’ most trusted target remains Travis Kelce. Their chemistry was on display with a behind-the-back throw play during the preseason. However, Kelce turns 35 this October and enters his 12th season. No team has ever won a Super Bowl with a leading receiver older than 34 or in their 12th season or later. While Rice could step up to lead the team in receiving yards, Kelce’s age is something to watch as he chases his fourth ring.
On the offensive line, the left tackle position remains unsettled. Donovan Smith departed after one season, and rookie Kingsley Suamataia from BYU will get the start in Week 1 against Baltimore. The Chiefs have had different left tackles in all four of Mahomes’ Super Bowls—Eric Fisher in 2019, Mike Remmers in 2020 (after Fisher’s injury), Orlando Brown Jr. in 2022, and Smith in 2023. Despite the lack of stability at left tackle, the interior line is strong with Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey, and Mahomes excels at evading sacks. The Chiefs could field a better offense in 2024 with rookie contributions than last season.
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Kansas City Chiefs’ Defense Adjusts Without L’Jarius Sneed
The Chiefs remain strong on defense with homegrown talent and key free agents like safety Justin Reid and linebacker Drue Tranquill. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense may not be comprised of household names, but it is highly effective. Chris Jones, freshly signed to a deal that should see him retire in Kansas City, anchors the defense. George Karlaftis, the 2022 first-round pick, continued to develop with 10.5 sacks last season, and corner Trent McDuffie earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023.
However, the defense could improve on takeaways. They only managed 17 last season, the fewest ever for a Super Bowl champion. This followed a trend: the 2022 Chiefs held the previous record with 20 takeaways in 17 games.
The defense’s biggest loss is cornerback Sneed. Known for his pivotal forced fumble in the AFC Championship Game against Baltimore, he was traded to the Titans due to salary cap constraints. In return, Kansas City received a swap of late-round picks and a 2025 third-round pick. The Chiefs faced a similar situation with Charvarius Ward in 2022 when he signed with San Francisco after four seasons. Sneed stepped up in Ward’s absence, and Chiefs hopes for similar growth from their younger corners.
The Chiefs still have McDuffie and other corners from their impactful 2022 draft, such as Nazeeh Johnson (recovering from an ACL tear in 2023), Jaylen Watson, and Joshua Williams. The lack of depth could become an issue against teams with multiple dangerous receivers, such as the Texans, who boast Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Stefon Diggs, or the Packers, who have a young, talented receiving corps. Both teams have already shown they can compete with Kansas City, and if they meet again in the postseason, they could pose a severe challenge.
Can the Kansas City Chiefs Achieve a Three-Peat?
Only the New York Yankees and Phil Jackson’s teams have managed a three-peat in major sports leagues in the last 40 years. The Kansas City Chiefs, seeking their third consecutive Super Bowl win, possess the talent to achieve this rare feat.
Potential Challenges
- Houston Texans: With C.J. Stroud and newly acquired Stefon Diggs, the Texans could become a serious contender. A crucial stretch in Weeks 16-17, featuring games against the Texans and Ravens, could heavily influence playoff seeding and the Chiefs’ road to the Super Bowl.
- New York Jets: If Aaron Rodgers returns to peak form, a Mahomes-Rodgers AFC Championship could be one of the most exciting matchups.
- Super Bowl Opponents: A potential Super Bowl clash with the Green Bay Packers, possibly led by Jordan Love, would be historic. The Packers could challenge the Chiefs, particularly if Kansas City struggles in their secondary without L’Jarius Sneed.
Despite these potential hurdles, the Chiefs remain a strong favorite. Betting on a three-peat seems reasonable, as the Chiefs, with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. This season could well define their legacy.
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