Grades for all 4 teams in the AFC West this offseason
It’s quickly becoming an NFL trivia question. When was the last time a team other than the Kansas City Chiefs won the AFC West? Ponder that for a moment.
In the meantime, what are the chances that the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers unseat Andy Reid’s team in 2024?
The Chiefs have reached the playoffs 10 times in the 11 seasons since Reid arrived in the 2013. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and defensive tackle Chris Jones. the team has played in six consecutive AFC title games, reached the Super Bowl four times, and hoisted the Lombardi Trophy three times since 2018.
Thanks to their 25-22 overtime over the 49ers in mid-February at Allegiant Stadium, Kansas City became the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since the 2003 and ’04 New England Patriots.
While the Chiefs are a model of stability, the other three teams in the division have all made major changes this offseason. In the case of the Broncos, their primary starting quarterback the past two seasons was cut loose. For the Raiders and Chargers, both are under the command of head coaches that were not in those positions at the start of 2023.
Here are some grades when it comes to these four teams and their respective offseasons. By the way, the answer to the trivia question is the 2015 Denver Broncos.
What grades have the AFC West teams earned in 2024?
Denver Broncos
The misery continues in the Mile High City. The Denver Broncos have not won a postseason game since stifling the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. The team’s last winning season came in 2016. The franchise has gone through a few head coaches and too many quarterbacks. Which brings us to…
When it was all said and done, the two-year Russell Wilson experiment was a failure. He and head coach Sean Payton did not see eye to eye in the latter’s first year in Denver. Wilson was released by the team this offseason and latched on with the Steelers, but it’s still costing the Broncos. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham remains with the team, and the club just traded for Jets’ first-round disappointment Zach Wilson.
The Broncos also parted ways with star safety Jason Simmons, who remains on the open market. The team also dealt wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Browns, while tackling-machine Josey Jewell signed with the Panthers.
Payton is certainly putting his stamp on this club, and it’s important to remember that the Broncos were 7-4 in their last 11 games after a dismal 1-5 start. This offseason has been more about cleaning house than adding pieces, although the club has prioritized the offensive line in free agency.
Grade: C
Kansas City Chiefs
After finishing 14-3 in 2022 and winning Super Bowl LVII, the Chiefs looked to become the first NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowls for the first time in nearly two decades. Andy Reid’s team went on to lose twice as many games as they had the previous season.
Still, the combination of Patrick Mahomes and a much-improved defensive unit saw a playoff run that saw the club stifle the Dolphins at Arrowhead Stadium, knock off the Bills and Ravens on the road and outlast the Niners in overtime at Las Vegas.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo did an outstanding job in 2023, but his unit will now be without standout performers such as linebacker Willie Gay (Saints) and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. The latter was given the franchise tag, and was then dealt to Tennessee.
Wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling was cut loose however the team added some new weapons for Mahomes in speedy Marquise Brown (Cardinals) and tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Bengals). Of course, it doesn’t seem to matter who lines up on offense as their talented signal-caller continues his magical run.
In terms of an offseason grade, general manager Brett Veach re-upped the vast majority of his starters who could have gone elsewhere. Job well done.
Grade: A-
Las Vegas Raiders
You could make a case that the best move by the franchise this offseason had nothing at all to do with a player. It was déjà vu all over again in Sin City, but it feels like the Raiders got it right this time around.
Back in 2021, Rich Bisaccia took over as the team’s interim head coach when Jon Gruden resigned during the season. The Silver and Black wound up in the playoffs, but the team opted not to give him the job and hired Josh McDaniels instead.
Mark Davis would fire McDaniels after a 3-5 start this past season (and a 9-16 overall record). Linebackers coach Antonio Pierce was elevated to the top spot and the club won five of its final nine contests, including a shocking win at Kansas City on Christmas Day. This was a different Raiders’ team under Pierce in terms of demeanor. This time around, Davis opted to remove the interim label, and it was obviously a move embraced by the players.
Speaking of performers, the biggest addition for Las Vegas this season was the signing of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins – late of the Dolphins. The Raiders also signed journeyman signal-caller Gardner Minshew, who spent 2023 with the Colts, to push Aidan O’Connell. It’s safe to say that the offense will look much different without Jimmy Garoppolo (Rams), Josh Jacobs (Packers) and Hunter Renfrow. All told, retaining Pierce was huge.
Grade: B
Los Angeles Chargers
There’s a new sheriff in town for a franchise that will “celebrate” the 30th anniversary of its lone Super Bowl appearance (XXIX) in 1994. Jim Harbaugh is back on the NFL sidelines, after leading the University of Michigan to a national title. The successful head coach returns to the league for the first time since his four-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14.
The Chargers had some rough decisions to make when it came to several veterans thanks to their salary-cap issues. New general manager Joe Hortiz restructured the contracts of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. On the other hand, veteran wideout Keenan Allen wound up being dealt to the Bears, while oft-injured Mike Williams (now with the Jets) was released.
There will be a new-look ground attack as Austin Ekeler left for Washington, while the Bolts added former Ravens Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. The team added a pair of tight ends in Will Dissly (Seahawks) and Hayden Hurst (Panthers), but lost Gerald Everett to the Bears.
Harbaugh will certainly bring his brand of football to the AFC West, a division the Chargers have not won since 2009. Will his nine-year absence from the National Football League come with any residual effects?