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The Kansas City Chiefs spent most of their offseason resources on their defense.
Offensively, they brought back Eric Bieniemy to replace Matt Nagy as offensive coordinator and signed Kenneth Walker III. Other than that, their offensive reinforcements were fifth-round rookies Emmet Johnson (running back) and Cyrus Allen (wide receiver), and that might not be enough for a team that hasn’t been as explosive in recent years.
Considering that, ESPN insider Dan Graziano expressed concerns about Patrick Mahomes’ return from injury, as he may have to do more than usual to keep the ship afloat.
Can Patrick Mahomes do all the heavy lifting?
“The question, of course, becomes, is he his old self? Does he need some time to be the player that he has always been when he’s been healthy?” Graziano said on “Get Up.” “That’s a player that can take an average or above-average roster and make it a championship roster. So that’s what they’re going to need, because I think they’ve improved the defense. But the offense, you know, is pretty much what they had last year.”
Mahomes’ mobility is his most underrated trait. While he’s not the fastest guy in the league, he’s crafty and shifty enough to roll out of the pocket and extend plays with his legs like the best of them.
However, that might not be the case early on in the season. Some players need more than a year to return to their old form and recover their mobility after an ACL injury, and while he looks far ahead of schedule, he’s still a human being.
Mahomes is used to doing a lot with the resources at hand, but the Chiefs are no longer the team to beat, and the front office is doing him a disservice by not giving him more/better weapons.
Xavier Worthy will have to step up after two rather modest seasons, and Rashee Rice will have to stay out of trouble. As for Travis Kelce, he’s still a threat, though he’s clearly no longer in his prime.
The Chiefs will live and die by Mahomes, but even the best of the best need a strong supporting cast.
Will the Chiefs’ one be enough? And will he be his usual self right out of the gate? Those two questions will most likely define their season.
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