Jeremy Maclin is the answer the Kansas City Chiefs need

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Feb 17, 2015

In 2014, the Kansas City Chiefs had one of the worst situations any football team can really have throughout the course of a season.

Not a single wide receiver, not even one caught a reception for a touchdown last season.

Quarterback Alex Smith threw for 18 scores but only to his running backs and tight ends. That speaks to the alarming fact that the Chiefs need to massively upgrade their receiving corps. That’s why for them to address this need via free agency, they must land someone that can contribute immediately.

Someone like Jeremy Maclin.

Maclin is set to be a free agent unless he gets franchise-tagged or the Philadelphia Eagles re-sign him before March 10. Should he hit free agency, he is exactly what the Chiefs need to bring a nice offensive spark to the team. Considering that last year he had a solid season with 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns, he will be one of the hottest free agents in the market.

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Since he has expressed his desire to remain an Eagle, he has hinted that he will do what is best for his career – even if it includes jumping ship. The Chiefs desperately need help on offense as there is no guarantee that Dwayne Bowe will even be back come next season.

If they can keep Bowe by giving him a new restructured deal that allows it to be cap friendly, they could land Maclin. And he would make everyone around him better.

This past season, Bowe totaled just 60 receptions for 754 yards and (obviously) zero touchdowns. He hasn’t lived up to that long-term extension he signed back in 2012 ($56 million dollars). There is seemingly always something about players that put up big numbers in contract years and then one year later, they almost always end up digressing. Sadly, Bowe has been disappointing ever since he signed his name on that contract.

Sometimes adding another X-Factor kind of player like Maclin elevates the game of players that are slumping. Who knows, maybe Maclin will turn things around for Bowe and they could be the next dynamic duo to hit the NFL come next season. Maybe all Bowe needs is that dynamic play-making teammate that will compliment his game and turn things around. Considering Bowe’s successful past, maybe last year was an anomaly and he’ll be back to vintage form with Maclin in the mix pushing him.

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Chiefs definitely need to shake things up this offseason and add another wide receiver or two to ensure they produce touchdowns come next season. It’s inexcusable to go an entire NFL season without your receiving corps punching in points after long drives and depending too much on others to get the job done. Adding Maclin would be a start.

Overall, Maclin would be perfect for the Chiefs and fill an immediate need by giving them a deep threat that is capable of hauling in touchdowns and pushing those around him towards success.

All it takes is a player infused with his kind of talent to change things around, especially at a position that desperately needs a new identity. Maclin would be the start of what the Chiefs hope is a nice turnaround in 2015 to be able to score touchdowns and put away teams early thanks to their receiving corps.

Next: Predicting the Kansas City Chiefs' 2015 success

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