Elijah Mitchell conundrum, offseason coaching changes, Christmas wishlist, and more in our latest Kansas City Chiefs mailbag
We answer questions from Kansas City Chiefs fans coming out of the bye week.
The bye week is officially over as the Kansas City Chiefs get ready for their first practice of the week ahead of a pivotal Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos.
There’s a lot on the mind of Chiefs Kingdom given how things ended against the Buffalo Bills before the bye week. We’ve not done a mailbag since training camp. So, it’s time to answer some of Chiefs Kingdom’s burning questions heading out of the bye week. Be on the lookout for posts like the following on X or BlueSky to participate in any future mailbags.
This week, I’ll answer questions about the screen game, the curious case of Elijah Mitchell, outside coaching hires for the offseason, a holiday wishlist for the Chiefs, and more.
Kansas City Chiefs post-bye week mailbag
Think we will see increased use of screen game? Maybe late-season switch to Elijah Mitchell? – via Craig Williams
The big thing about having an effective screen game is that it’s not just about the running back (or ball carrier) from an execution standpoint; it takes a lot of moving parts on the offensive line, tight ends, and even receivers. Stability and continuity along the offensive line over the last several weeks has probably negatively impacted the screen game. Getting a guy like Josh Simmons back in the fold will certainly help a little. Getting guys like Trey Smith, Jawaan Taylor, and Kingsley Suamataia a bit healthier after both were dinged up recently also helps.
As for the Elijah Mitchell situation, I don’t expect a substantial late-season switch unless an injury forces their hand. Perhaps the team gets him ready for some package plays and different types of opportunities, but I don’t see him as a high-volume guy. I think the thing that Chiefs fans have to understand is that Mitchell had 33 snaps on offense during the preseason, with a tiny portion of those coming with the first-team offense. He didn’t get a whole lot of run with the first-team offense during training camp either. The volume snaps have gone to Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and Brashard Smith. It’s very much another Ronald Jones situation with three other guys getting all the work and Mitchell having few opportunities to prove himself capable to the coaching staff.
The decision to play Clyde Edwards-Helaire in Week 9 against the Bills was very much about trust and confidence, based on what he’s done in the past and on the belief that he can execute even without a lot of practice snaps under his belt. I think the two carries that Edwards-Helaire saw are reflective of that as well. It wasn’t ever about those snaps. The third running back in that game was never going to have an outsized role unless there was an injury. In the case of an injury, they felt better about Edwards-Helaire’s ability to do everything at volume, from running the ball to picking up protection calls.
If you could bring in a new assistant coach from outside the organization, who would it be and for what spot? – via Zach Laymans
If the Browns completely blow up their coaching staff this offseason, I’d be very interested in Jacques Cesaire as a replacement for Joe Cullen. There was some chatter that Cullen entertained some college football opportunities last season, and I think that unit has underperformed in many ways this year. Cesaire, of course, got his start under a former Andy Reid disciple in Sean McDermott during his time with the Carolina Panthers. He’s coached some outstanding performances from players during stops in Buffalo, Houston, and now Cleveland.
On the offensive side of the ball, everyone is looking at Matt Nagy as a potential fit for the Tennessee Titans’ job. I tend to believe they’ll promote internally for the offensive coordinator role if Nagy leaves (Joe Bleymaier), which could open an opportunity for someone like Mike Kafka to rejoin the staff as a passing game coordinator. Not so much new blood, but Patrick Mahomes did have some of his best seasons with Kafka in his ear.
With it never hurting to get a head start on the holiday season, what should the Chiefs be asking from Santa this year? – via Ed Helinski
They should be asking Santa, as played by David Harbour in “Violent Night,” for the downfall of their enemies. After starting the season 5-4, the Chiefs have found themselves in a bit of a pickle. Not only do they need to take care of business and start winning games, but they also need teams like the Broncos, Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars to start losing games. They got two of those results in Week 10, but they’ll need more results like that in the final eight games of the 2025 NFL season if they’re to reach the playoffs, let alone have a shot at another AFC West title.
A more practical ask? How about a practice squad player like DE Ethan Downs or DE Tyreke Smith emerging as an answer to the Chiefs’ pass-rush problems? They need to unearth some hidden gem in that regard, with a lack of additions at the trade deadline. It wasn’t for a lack of trying, as we learned, but now they’ve got to get creative there.
In light of the Juan Thornhill free agency, which other former Chiefs could you see the team adding back into the fold this season? – via Taylor Witt
The Bills also just snatched up Mecole Hardman, so it feels like former Chiefs players are hot commodities right now. I mentioned a trio of defensive tackles after Brodric Martin got poached last week, but Keondre Coburn feels like the one that makes the most sense. A former draft pick at defensive tackle, who the team initially wanted back on the practice squad, was both claimed on waivers and poached from the practice squad. It only makes sense to give him the third-time’s-a-charm opportunity.
If the running back situation gets any worse, it couldn’t hurt to call Jerick McKinnon (33 years old), Damien Williams (33 years old), or Darrell Williams (30 years old). The worst thing that will happen is that Brett Veach will hear a dial tone.
Winning seems to run through rb or dl for teams this (odd) season. What is your assessment of which will make a difference for KC- CJ et al step up or Elijah Mitchell be the ace card? – via folkstoneabq
I actually think it’s going to be a different line that’s the key to the remainder of the season: The offensive line. They need to stay healthy and rebuild the chemistry that was upended when Josh Simmons left. That, of course, impacts the running game, regardless of what back is in there. However, the running game is a bit of an afterthought when this team isn’t leading and scoring points. What the Chiefs need is for Patrick Mahomes to be at his absolute best down the stretch. That’s how they’re going to get where they want to be this season. He is the best version of himself when he trusts his offensive line to give him the time he needs.
Kansas City Chiefs’ remaining 2025 Schedule
Kansas City Chiefs News
Chiefs HC Andy Reid provides latest injury updates on two key offensive players heading into pivotal Week 11 game vs. Broncos
Andy Reid spoke to reporters about injuries to RB Isiah Pacheco and RT Jawaan Taylor.
