It was not as lovely as previous years, but with to Patrick Mahomes’ talent and the tenacity of their defense, the Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl title in five seasons, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in Super Bowl LVIII.
Kansas City now has the opportunity to become the first club in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls next season, and a three-peat may begin with the franchise’s offseason moves. With NFL free agency only one month away, this is the most pressing problem the Chiefs must solve in the 2024 offseason.
Offensive Line
The Chiefs’ inefficient passing offense in 2023 can readily be blamed on the wide receiver group. Kansas City topped the league in drops this season, and no other Chiefs wideout, aside from Rashee Rice, surpassed the 500-yard mark or gained more than 85 yards in a game. Wide receiver is a position of need for this team in the summer, but issues on the offensive line are at the foundation of the team’s deteriorating passing offense.
It’s easy to forget that Kansas City lost starter tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (four Pro Bowls) and starting guard Andrew Wylie in free agency prior to this season, and the offensive line has struggled. Although the Chiefs did not allow more sacks this season, there was a noteworthy dip in performance in other statistical areas. Patrick Mahomes was under pressure on 22.9% of dropbacks this year, compared to 19.4% the previous season. He was also hit 33% more frequently in 2023 (56 hits in 2022 vs. 75 in 2023).
With less time in the pocket, Mahomes and the Chiefs offense were hampered. With fewer playmakers creating separation and a new crop of receivers who did not gel with Mahomes, the Chiefs All-Pro QB produced his lowest passer rating and second-lowest passing touchdown total of his career.
While Mahomes had a great Super Bowl, winning yet another Pete Rozelle Trophy as MVP, he was under constant pressure from the 49ers defense. Niners defensive end Nick Bosa recorded 10 pressures on 48 pass rushes (20.8% pressure rate), the third-highest total in a postseason game since 2018, although San Francisco as a team had three sacks.
Center Creed Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney were named to the Pro Bowl in 2023, but the rest of the offensive line was subpar. The Chiefs will be especially looking to improve at both offensive tackle positions. Jawaan Taylor, the right tackle who signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Jaguars prior to the season, allowed the most penalties of any offensive lineman this year. Donovan Smith (who is entering free agency) fared little better, with nine penalties and a Pro Football Focus Player Grade of “Below Average”.
The offensive line’s free agency pool is not particularly strong this offseason, but the Chiefs might still chase a couple solid starters. Michael Onwenu and Trent Brown, New England Patriots offensive linemen, are looking for new homes in 2024. Despite the Patriots’ general offensive woes, both have been dependable offensive linemen in recent years. Jonah Williams of the Cincinnati Bengals is another option. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams is “a high-floor pass blocker with a strong pedigree,” who “should do fairly well in unrestricted free agency given the league-wide scarcity of solid tackle play.”
With a clear need at offensive tackle, expect the Chiefs to compete for the best OTs in free agency this offseason.
