NFL analyst names Chiefs' biggest offseason loss so far
The Kansas City Chiefs have lost quite a bit this offseason. Sure, they have made a ton of moves that ultimately they think will make them better in 2023 as if this team could top the impressive Super Bowl-winning run they had in 2022. But, the pieces they have lost, man they hurt. They had […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have lost quite a bit this offseason. Sure, they have made a ton of moves that ultimately they think will make them better in 2023 as if this team could top the impressive Super Bowl-winning run they had in 2022.
But, the pieces they have lost, man they hurt. They had to cut Frank Clark, one of the best playoff pass rushers of all time, to save $21 million in cap space. They lost Khalen Saunders to the New Orleans Saints, Juan Thornhill to the Cleveland Browns, Andrew Wylie to the Washington Commanders, and a few others.
But, to Pro Football Focus, none of those losses have been more important than the Chiefs losing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Patrick Mahomes proved last season he can win with just about anyone catching passes, but Smith-Schuster was highly productive with 36 more receptions and about 250 more receiving yards than the next-best wide receiver on the team. Kansas City opting to buy low with the one-year flier and then let Smith-Schuster sign elsewhere is likely a sharp move, but it’s not like he’ll be easy to replace. Smith-Schuster’s 2.9% drop rate over the past three seasons ranks seventh among qualifying wide receivers, and he actually lined up out wide at a higher percentage than in the slot for the first time in his career, so he may be a bit harder to replace if Kansas City specifically wants to replace him with a wide receiver who can line up predominantly out wide.
The Chiefs have found themselves stuck in a rut, where, they have no Smith-Schuster, no wide receiver one, and essentially just Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore.
They have been in the rumors with a possible pairing with Odell Beckham Jr., but we still haven't really heard anything pick up on that. Now D.J. Chark is gone to Carolina, Mecole Hardman, and Allen Lazard to the New York Jets, and a few others to other teams.
The Chiefs are running out of options, and frankly, they are running out of time. Now, because they lost Smith-Schuster, they likely will target a wide receiver in the draft earlier than they expected.
