Sep 8, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a Super Bowl victory, but will they run it back with their receivers or add a star on the outside?
Who needs Tyreek Hill?
That was apparently the thought process of the Kansas City Chiefs, who traded the star receiver to the Miami Dolphins last offseason for a whopping five draft picks. The result was a remade wideouts room with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Watson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling brought in via free agency, Kadarius Toney coming over from the New York Giants in a midseason trade, and Skyy Moore being selected in the second round. Incredibly, only Mecole Hardman was a holdover.
Ultimately, Kansas City’s receivers accounted for 2,653 yards (Smith-Schuster led the group with 933) while Hill accounted for 1,710 yards by himself on South Beach. Still, the Chiefs went 14-3, earned the AFC’s top seed and won their second Lombardi Trophy in four years.
Moving forward, though, Kansas City general manager Brett Veach has a decision to make. With Smith-Schuster, Watson and Hardman all hitting free agency, there’s significant uncertainty for Patrick Mahomes and his weapons.
Which leads to an interesting question: will Veach make a play for an elite receiver this offseason?
While the free-agent market is barren — the best receivers out there are Smith-Schuster, Jakobi Meyers and Allen Lazard — there are some other intriguing possibilities.
For starters, keep an eye on the Arizona Cardinals and former All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins. After serving a six-game suspension to begin the 2022 season, Hopkins played in nine games and posted 64 receptions and 717 yards with three touchdowns. With two years and $34 million remaining on his deal, the Chiefs could trade for Hopkins on what amounts to a pair of one-year pacts, with no guaranteed money left after a trade.
There’s also the potential of signing Keenan Allen, who could be released as a cap casualty by the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Allen is scheduled to make $21.7 against the cap, and with the Chargers needs to cut $20.5 million to be compliant, the veteran is a prime candidate to get his walking papers.
If Allen becomes available, his versatility and route-running would be welcome in Kansas City, where he could get revenge twice on his former team. At 31 years old, Allen becomes a short-term answer who won’t cost as much.
For the Chiefs, there aren’t many needs, but receiver is one. How they attack it will be very interesting.