Coaching
After winning his first Super Bowl title in 2019, Andy Reid led the Chiefs to another championship game, but Tom Brady worked his magic to steal the victory. Reid has been exceptional over his eight years with the Chiefs (91–37 with seven trips to the postseason). He had 10 wins or more in each of his last six seasons, and Reid has double-digit victories 15 times in his career with Kansas City and Philadelphia over 22 seasons.
His next step is improving his playoff record (17–15 in his career and 7–6 with the Chiefs). Reid improved to sixth in career wins (221) and 23rd in winning percentage (.629).
Reid looks poised to be in the Super Bowl conversation for the next few seasons with his resume and a young elite quarterback.
Eric Bieniemy now has four years of experience as the offensive coordinator and a Super Bowl win for Kansas City after working as the running backs coach in the Chiefs’ system over the previous five seasons. Bieniemy is a former NFL player with 12 years of coaching experience in the pros. In 2011 and 2012, he held the offensive coordinator job for Colorado Buffaloes. Kansas City’s success on offense should lead to Bieniemy pushing his way to a head coaching opportunity soon.
After leading in points scored (565) and offensive yards in 2018, the Chiefs scored 114 fewer points in 2019 (451—fifth) with a bump to 473 points (6th) last season. Kansas City led the league in offensive yards in 2020.
In his second season as the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs, Steve Spagnuolo has a Super Bowl win and loss. He’s been in the NFL since 1999, with eight years of experience running a defense and three failed seasons as a head coach (11–41).
The Chiefs dipped to 10th in points allowed (362), 54 more points than 2019 (308). Kansas City inched up to 16th in yards allowed.
Free Agency
Kansas City added G Joe Thuney, G Kyle Long, and C Austin Blythe to their offensive line while C Austin Reiter and T Eric Fisher were released.
Thuney plays well in pass protection with a league-average floor as a run blocker. He has five years of experience after getting drafted in the third round in 2016.
Long retired from football in 2020 after battling a hip injury. The Chiefs added him for bench depth while understanding his pedigree (first-round draft selection in 2013).
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Blythe has been up and down in his play over the past few seasons. His pass blocking is trending in the wrong direction while performing well in the run game.
WR Sammy Watkins moved on to the Ravens. Over the past four years, he’s had the opportunity to play for two high-scoring teams (LAR and KC). Injuries cost him 15 games since 2017 while failing to produce WR2 stats (39/393/8, 40/519/3, 52/673/3, and37/421/2). Watkins only made nine plays over 20 yards over his last 89 catches compared to 32 over 125 chances in 2014 and 2015. The Chiefs kept him closer to the line of scrimmage over the previous two seasons, leading to no plays over 40 yards and continued fade in his yards per catch (13.0, 12.9, and 11.4).
The Chiefs didn’t bring back RB Le’Veon Bell or CB Bashaud Breeland. Kansas City added RB Jerick McKinnon and RB Elijah McGuire to improve their pass-catching depth out of the backfield.
Kansas City’s big move in the offseason was the trade for T Orlando Brown for the 31st pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Brown improves the pass protection on the blindside of Patrick Mahomes while showing growth as a run blocker in 2020.
Draft
LB Nick Bolton
Bolton should be sensational when attacking the line of scrimmage. He plays with vision and an excellent feel for the developing action. Bolton brings fire to the point of contact with a chance to hold his own in coverage. His only lacking trait is his speed in chase mode.
C Creed Humphrey
Humphrey has a high enough floor coming out of college to compete for the starting center position for the Chiefs. He understands his job with the vision to make the offensive line calls. He plays with grit and under gear if someone gets under his skin. Humphrey will have limited range but control his small area of the field with passion and desire. His foundation skill set puts him in the correct position to handle his assignments.
DE Joshua Kaindoh
He had a limited resume at Florida State while battling some injuries. When on the field, Kaindoh has the look of an attacking pass rusher with an intriguing combination of speed, power, and quickness. His motor and fight need work supporting the run. The key to turning his skills into production starts with adding more strength to help beat bigger bodies in the trenches.
TE Noah Gray
Gray doesn’t have a separator trait, but he works hard to improve his game. His size (6’3” and 240 lbs.) is closer to a big wide receiver. Gray has a feel for pass protection while needing to get stronger to handle the tougher competition at the next level. He won’t threaten a defense in the deep passing game.
WR Cornell Powell
Powell failed to outperform many talented wide receivers in his time at Clemson. He moves with speed and a high level of ball skills, but Powell has a questionable release while lacking a winning foundation in his route running. There is upside here, but he will need time to develop.
G Trey Smith
His shortfall comes with his footwork that leads to limited range and missed assignments. Smith has the power and strength to win at the point of contact, but defenders would rather beat him in space and leverage. He has plenty of work to do if he wants to reach a starting ceiling.
