Looking at each AFC West team’s best newcomer and key loss
They are the NFL’s current bully on the block. This past season, the Kansas City Chiefs became the first club since the New England Patriots in 2003 and ‘04 to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Under head coach Andy Reid, who was hired by the organization in 2013, the team has not suffered through a losing season. The Chiefs have reached the playoffs nine straight years, and counting. The club has won eight straight AFC West titles. The franchise has represented the AFC and in four of the past five Super Bowls and came away with three titles
The last time this club did not win the AFC West was 2015, when the Denver Broncos not only grabbed the top spot in the division but won Super Bowl 50. Then again, that was also the last time that franchise has reached the playoffs.
The news is also pretty dire when it comes to the other two residents of the division. The Raiders have not won the AFC West since 2002. That was also the last season the Silver and Black won a postseason game. As for the Los Angeles Chargers, there has been no AFC West title since 2009. This was a team that was a disturbing 1-5 vs. their divisional rivals this past season.
Here is a look at each club's biggest loss and best addition this offseason. Is this the year that the Chiefs get dethroned for the top spot in the division?
Top addition, biggest departure for the 4 AFC West teams
Denver Broncos
Best addition: QB Bo Nix
The last time the Denver Broncos reached the playoffs was 2015, when the team won Super Bowl 50. Since then, the team is a combined 52-79 and has reeled off seven consecutive losing seasons. There have been six head coaches, and a total of 13 different starting quarterbacks. That latter number will change.
The team used the 12th overall pick on Auburn University’s Bo Nix, who is 24 years old and has plenty of experience. “To me, the age…,” explained Denver general manager George Paton, “especially with a guy like Bo Nix, 61 starts, we feel like he'll be more game-ready than if we were going to draft a 21-year-old.”
Biggest loss: S Justin Simmons
It’s hard to determine what is the bigger surprise. This offseason, the Broncos parted ways with two-time Pro Bowler Justin Simmons. He was given the “franchise” tag in 2021 and eventually signed a four-year, $61 million deal. After 30 interceptions (1 TD) in eight years with the club, he was released this offseason.
The other shock? Simmons remains on the open market as of this writing. Perhaps by the time someone gets around to reading this, the veteran ball hawk would be signed by a new club. Simmons picked off at least two passes in each season with Denver, also totaling 64 passes defensed and five forced fumbles.
Kansas City Chiefs
Best addition: WR Marquise Brown
It was makeover time for the Chiefs’ wide receiving corps this offseason once again. The team cut ties with Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was recently signed by the Bills. It also bears watching what the future hold for 2023 second-round pick Rashee Rice, who has some off-the-field issues to deal with.
General manager Brett Veach did some dealing in the first round in April, and wound up adding speedy Xavier Worthy (Texas) with the 28th overall pick. However, the choice here is Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. He’s totaled 313 catches for 3,644 yards and 28 TDs in five seasons with the Ravens and Cardinals.
Biggest loss: CB L’Jarius Sneed
You had the sense that the standout defensive back would not be back in 2024 with the reigning Super Bowl champions. The team put the “franchise” tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who was dealt to the Titans. He has 10 interceptions, three fumble recoveries and 6.5 sacks in just 57 regular-season games.
The Chiefs swapped seventh-round picks with Tennessee this year, and picked up a third-rounder in 2025. It is a significant loss, mostly due to the fact that Kansas City’s defense was a huge part of the team’s 2023 title season. It’s not the only loss on this side of the ball for Andy Reid’s team, but who will fill that void?
Las Vegas Raiders
Best addition: DT Christian Wilkins
Defense has been a four-letter for this franchise for more than a decade, and the word is not good. The most recent example shows that the Raiders were a mediocre 15th in the NFL in fewest yards per game allowed, 21st vs. the run. Hence the addition of a former first-round pick who could help clog the middle.
There was talk that the Dolphins were prepared to put the “franchise” tag on Christian Wilkins. They did not, and he inked a four-year, $110 million deal (via Spotrac) with Las Vegas. The 13th overall pick in 2019 has 20.5 sacks in five seasons. Wilkins is Pro Football Focus’ 14th-ranked interior defender vs. the run.
Biggest loss: RB Josh Jacobs
It’s almost inexplicable how this organization managed to lose a player that led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022? The Raiders used the 24th overall pick on Alabama’s Josh Jacobs in 2019. He totaled 3,839 yards from scrimmage and 28 TDs in his first three season, but the team did not pick up his fifth-year option.
Jacobs would go onto lead the league with 1,653 rushing yards (12 TDs) and earn All-Pro honors. The club subsequently put the “franchise” tag on the productive runner, and he played for the tender this past season. The Raiders let him test free agency this year, and now he is a member of the Green Bay Packers.
Los Angeles Chargers
Best addition: T Joe Alt
He was the first offensive lineman taken in this year’s draft, and understandably so. The former Golden Domer was the fifth overall pick in April. New head coach Jim Harbaugh inherits a team that finished 5-12 in 2023. Joe Alt will team with three-year pro Rashawn Slater to give the Bolts two quality bookends.
“Long-limbed team captain with NFL-quality tackle play coursing through his veins…,” said NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in his scouting report. “Alt clearly has the talent to become a Day 1 starter on the left side, but he’ll need to clean up his habit of leaning forward, or he could be in for some bumpy action early on.”
Biggest loss: WR Keenan Allen
He is the second-leading pass-catcher in Chargers’ history in terms of receptions (904) and receiving yards (10,530). Only tight end Antonio Gates (116) and Hall of Famer Lance Alworth (81) have more TD catches than Keenan Allen (59). The six-time Pro Bowler was dealt to Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick in ‘24.
Who will fill the void? Those 108 catches by Allen in 2023 will be hard to replace. Former first-rounder Mike Williams was cut loose and was signed by the Jets. The team will need second-year pro Quentin Johnson to step up. The Chargers selected three wideouts in the draft, led by Ladd McConkey (2-Georgia).