Strike while the iron is hot, or the star quarterback is on a rookie deal. The cliche has never been more appropriate and the Kansas City Chiefs must listen. Go all in on defense this offseason.
The Kansas City Chiefs just finished up what is probably the most successful season a team could have when failing to make the Super Bowl. Thanks to MVP Patrick Mahomes and an endless offense, they took the league by storm, even participating in some of the most exciting individual games of the 2018 season. Of course, failing to make the Super Bowl is a big wrench thrown into any success story. There is work left to do.
Kansas City will return most of its dominating roster next year, specifically on offense. Defense remains unclear as to how good or bad the unit actually is. This means its time to go all in and win now. Stack the defense and spend your money. Mahomes won’t be inexpensive for long.
Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, debate the Kansas City Chiefs in today’s NFL Sports Debate.
Todd Salem:
One of the biggest questions will be what the team does at running back. After jettisoning Kareem Hunt, Spencer Ware filled in and was fine. Then, Damien Williams became the lead dog and really flourished once the postseason began. Is he the long-term answer for this club though?
He’s only topped 13 carries in a game once in his career: the Indianapolis playoff game. With Ware and Charcandrick West set to hit free agency, the Chiefs need to decide what level of help Williams will need; someone to spot carries, someone to split time, or someone to win the job over Williams?
On defense, a couple of secondary pieces will need to be replaced, but the biggest hole will be created by the free agency of Dee Ford. Ford was the third musketeer of the front, along with stars Chris Jones and Justin Houston. The Chiefs already had enough issues, especially against the run, without having to replace a stalwart up front.
Ford wasn’t known for his run defense, so maybe this is an opportunity for KC to replace him with a more well-rounded player, albeit a lesser pass rusher. However, that would be a tricky path to maneuver. Maybe don’t mess around, and just bring back or franchise tag Ford.
As with a number of teams around the league, the Chiefs’ biggest current advantage is the fact that their MVP quarterback takes up so little cap space. These are the years to continually challenge for a title, before Mahomes is due a massive raise that destroys all flexibility. As it stands, Kansas City can afford to fill all its holes.
That becomes the question. Should this team pull out all the stops and really go for it? That could involve paying Ford slightly more than he’s worth. Maybe that means investing assets in running back that end up souring in the long run. But championship windows are narrow. I say go for it.
Bring in help for Williams that bumps him to a part-time runner. Place the franchise tag on Ford until a long-term deal can be arranged. Add those other pieces as well, including cornerback, center, and wide receiver depth. This is the time. The Chiefs are not the future of the league; they are the present.
Dan Salem:
The Kansas City Chiefs cannot spoil the cheap years of Mahomes’ contract. He is too good for them not to make at least one Super Bowl. Frankly, this team should win one while the money is right. That means fixing the defense, because bending but not breaking failed them last season.
There is no question that Kansas City must pull out all the stops, starting with retaining Ford. I don’t believe a more well-rounded player is available, so take what you can get. Several members of the Los Angeles Rams’ defense will be available, as will a number of high profile players in the defensive backfield.
What does Earl Thomas have left in the tank? At 30 years old he’s in position to move on from Seattle, if they let him. LaMarcus Joyner and Tyrann Mathieu are two more players to watch. It’s usually difficult to steal these types of players from their current team, but the Chiefs are in a unique position. They are better than everyone else.
Buster Skrine, formally of the New York Jets, could be another interesting add. He’s shined in a complimentary role, should come cheap, and has a lot to prove. No matter what, Kansas City must add depth to its defense, especially in the secondary. Out-scoring your opponents as a plan of action is bad football. Andy Reid does not coach bad football. Because the running back position is slightly uncertain, its necessary to ante up on defense.
The irony of this dilemma does not escape me. Just last offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs were being seriously questioned. Could they remain a contender, let alone compete for their division crown? What would the offense look like without Alex Smith? Was the defense good enough to win? These questions now feel ridiculous. Can we count on Kansas City to keep up its high level of play? Everyone counted them out before last season. Will the real Kansas City Chiefs please stand up.