Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes shares his feelings on 2023 WR room
Coming into the 2023 season, as it approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs had a potential problem with their roster, so we thought. There was always going to be the issue of not having a true number one guy like they have had since Mahomes has been in the league – if you want to call […]
Coming into the 2023 season, as it approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs had a potential problem with their roster, so we thought.
There was always going to be the issue of not having a true number one guy like they have had since Mahomes has been in the league – if you want to call JuJu Smith-Schuster a number one guy. Not landing Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins – so far – has certainly stood out in the Chiefs' illustrious offseason.
Obviously, with the recent news of Hopkins being released, that is still a possibility. But at the same time, even if they don't grab the All-Pro receiver, I don't think fans should necessarily worry about the position group. In fact, not having a true number one guy, but having a few numbers two guys, may help the Chiefs for the 2023 season.
Mahomes certainly likes what he sees from the group thus far.
"I think we're deep," Mahomes told the media on Wednesday. "I think that's the biggest thing. Usually, you have a good feel for who the guys are going to be and everything like that, but with this group, it's like [I can see a path for every single guy making the team]," Mahomes said. "That's what you want. You want that competition.
"Even the young guys who have stepped in have done a lot of great things, and guys from other systems have stepped in and done great things. So, [there's] a lot of competition in that room that will play out through OTAs and camp, but I'm happy with where we're at in that receiving room."
To hear Mahomes say he is happy where the room is at is huge, because a lot of people – media and fans – are not so happy with it. However, there is a good reason that if the Chiefs went into the 2023 season with this exact room, they would be more than fine.
The 2023 season would be all about bucking the major NFL trend of thinking every team has to have a dominant WR1. They bucked the trend last year. While Smith-Schuster was a wide receiver one, he wasn't a dominant one. He was just the wide receiver that had the most targets and yards on his team.
Going into 2023 they won't have Smith-Schuster, who left in free agency to the New England Patriots. Their wide receiver group will consist of Kadarius Toney, who will likely be the number one guy, Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, Richie James, and likely Justyn Ross getting that final spot.
Not having a true dominant number-one receiver can help in this case. The offense can be even scarier for NFL defenses because now the Chiefs won't have to satisfy a number one guy by making sure he gets a certain amount of touches.
It also allows Andy Reid to call whatever because he doesn't have to worry about touches, and Mahomes is so good off-script that he doesn't have to look for one guy the play is designed for, outside of Kelce, obviously. When the play breaks down he is then looking for whoever is the logical option.
One thing we aren't really factoring in either is the evolution and development of Skyy Moore, as he is now in his second season. Rookies don't see much in this offense because it's tough to learn. However, when we did see Moore as a receiver last year – not a returner – he was brilliant.
So far, he has already improved from what Reid has seen in OTAs.
“I like what I see," Reid told reporters. "He’s getting strong (and) you can tell that he’s worked this offseason. He was down there with Pat (Mahomes) the whole time and never missed a day with him, so he’s done a good job. (He has a) better understanding.”
This unit could end up being one that a lot of people sleep on but ends up being really, really good. I think we will also see MVS featured more too. He has the most experience in the group and showed a clutch factor in the playoffs last season that was uncanny. The Chiefs will need a guy like him to step up.
Either way, if Mahomes is happy, we should be happy.
