2022 NFL Team Preview: Kansas City Chiefs -

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The Kansas City Chiefs have hosted the AFC Championship in four consecutive years. Historically, that is something that no other franchise has done in the NFL. The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl twice in those four years, winning it all once. Despite that run of success, Kansas City had a heartbreaking defeat in last year’s AFC title game, blowing a massive lead. The team also underwent a massive amount of changes, building a new core. How will this different nucleus impact the way in which the Chiefs perform in 2022?

Key Additions/Re-Signings

Let’s now look into the transactions made by the Kansas City Chiefs. Here are some of their key additions or re-signings for 2022.

Additions

Re-Signings

QB Chad Henne (1 year/$3.265 million)
DT Derrick Nnadi (1 year/$2.75 million)
OT Andrew Wylie (1 year/$2.5375 million)
TE Blake Bell (1 year/$1.2725 million)
FB Michael Burton (1 year/$1.2725 million)
RB Jerick McKinnon (1 year/$1.27 million)
CB Chris Lammons (1 year/$895,000)

Key Losses

Let’s quickly look into some key names that the Chiefs lost from their roster this offseason.

Top Headlines That Will Define Chiefs’ 2022 Season

With all of those moving parts, there are varied expectations for the Chiefs. Some believe that the offense is due for a massive regression. Arguably, it cannot get much worse for a Patrick Mahomes-led offense than it was early last season. On the flip side, the rookie draft class may get quite a bit of playing time on defense. This presents a lot of unknowns. That is especially true early in the season, when the Chiefs face some of the NFL’s top offenses during the early part of the schedule. With those items in mind, and a whole lot more, here are the top headlines that will define the 2022 season for the Kansas City Chiefs.

If Any, How Much Will Mahomes’ Attack Change?

It was probably the worst season that we had seen from Mahomes in 2021. At least at his standards, this team had never seen their turnover rate or inconsistency with scoring change so much as it did early last year. As the season grew, Mahomes got back to looking more comfortable and began to go after defenses accordingly. He started to show that he was able to take what the defense was giving him. Elsewhere, Mahomes had even started to trust his legs sooner, rather than waiting too long for a pass attempt to develop.

How much, if any, will Patrick’s attack change in 2022? Overall, the Chiefs are likely to spread the ball around a lot more evenly in the passing game. This is also an offense that has talked about running the ball a lot more often in recent years. If that does indeed happen, Mahomes could benefit from a lot more play action pass calls from under center. Or, the Chiefs quarterback will be allowed to attack with quicker passes in the short to intermediate passing game. There will still be an acclimation period with the new pass catching group. However, Mahomes is set to attack in a more advantageous state this season, thanks to his adjusted footwork and fundamentals.

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New-Look Wide Receiver Room Better Than Mahomes Has Had?

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Losing Hill did force Kansas City to get rid of a top three wide receiver in the NFL. Yet, the Chiefs new-look wide receiver room may actually be deeper and more balanced in 2022. You do not have a top alpha, like Hill. Even still, Smith-Schuster, Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore is a dynamic top four. Mahomes has already taken a liking to newcomer Justin Watson as well.

We already mentioned that Mahomes may spread the ball around a lot more evenly this season. Part of that is due to just the offensive design of head coach Andy Reid. Additionally, that is also a credit to this prideful wide receiver room. Each of them either has something to prove this season or is looking to breakout in a fresh opportunity. There have certainly been some quality depth receivers that sparingly came through for Mahomes in the past. Nevertheless, the Chiefs new-look wide receivers present more trustworthy targets and higher ceilings as a group. If that is true, Kansas City will not miss a beat offensively.

Pass Rush Must Produce More Consistently

If you look at the history of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, he is known for being aggressive with his blitz calls and pressure packages. That was always the case in his other stops as an NFL assistant. Moreover, that has not gone away during his tenure with the Chiefs. That is at least the case for his planning and preparation. As for the results on the field, it has been up and down when it comes to the Kansas City pass rush.

Last season, the Chiefs actually finished with their lowest sack total under Spagnuolo (31). They had 32 sacks in 2020 and 45 sacks in 2019. It has been a steady decline in that category, likely thanks to a few different factors. Still leading the group upfront are Chris Jones and Frank Clark. Will their production increase? Rookie first-round pick George Karlaftis is relentless and powerful. The early flashes from him have been encouraging. Finally, this pass rush looks to provide a better mix of speed and physicality in 2022. To get off the field more often, the Chiefs defense has to continue to improve their production as a pass rush.

Youth Movement Carrying The Load On Defense

We mentioned the mix of speed and physicality in the defense in the last paragraph. A point of emphasis in the roster construction this offseason, the Chiefs were able to incorporate a great deal of that throughout the 2022 NFL Draft. Kansas City walked away from April’s picks having made 10 total selections. Seven of those were defensive players. Not only were the Chiefs able to stockpile and replenish the defensive unit, but they were also able to find unique talents.

Outside of the aforementioned Karlaftis, Trent McDuffie provides athleticism and burst at the cornerback position. Names like Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson can rely on tenacity, length and size as cornerbacks, to boot. Bryan Cook is a wrecking ball and very instinctive at safety. Lastly, Leo Chenal is a throwback at linebacker who is violent and hard-working. The results will eventually come. But as far as the early signs go, the Chiefs have to be pleased with how their rookie defenders have begun the preparation for the regular season.

Beyond the rookies, you have guys like Nick Bolton and Willie Gay ready to become new leaders on defense. This duo is set to fly around the field and be pests in all areas. Even Reid at safety is still relatively young. Wise for his age, he is also set to be one of the new voices of reason on the Chiefs defense.

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– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.