As always, the Kansas City Chiefs are gunning for the top. But this year, there’s absolutely no holding back for them. With last year’s Super Bowl loss still stinging like an open wound, HC Andy Reid is not leaving anything up to chance this year. He must defeat his old team; that’s the mission. With the Chiefs getting more prime-time games than anyone else, the league certainly believes they will be able to deliver. And if their roster moves this offseason are any indication, the Chiefs are already running full speed ahead to grab the Lombardi Trophy.
Andy Reid has gone to great lengths to ensure Patrick Mahomes has the best possible arsenal at his disposal. And that means moving aside anybody whose prospects raise a question mark. As per recent reports, they have already waived RB Keontay Ingram and WR Justin Lockhart. Andy Reid has also signed a former Super Bowl champ, Tremayne Anchrum, to protect Mahomes. And now, it looks like the scope is set on the other RBs on the roster. Specifically, Isaiah Pacheco.
Isiah Pacheco didn’t have the best 2024 season. Dealing with a fractured fibula in week 2 made him miss 10 games. Kareem Hunt took over the reins from there till the time he recovered. Even Hunt only showed flashes of brilliance that left a lot to be desired. Even when Pacheco came back, he wasn’t exactly his best for the rest of the season. If we talk stats, his total playoff production was only 13 rushes for 37 yards. Not exactly swinging for the fences there. And that’s not all. The Chiefs have now got Elijah Mitchell from free agency. Brashard Smith also joins as a draft pick. As analysts now believe, with so many players vying for the RB spot, the Chiefs will have to decide which one of the four gives them the best chance at the Super Bowl.
So, if the performance doesn’t catch Andy Reid’s eye, Pacheco might just be cut from the roster, with the new faces getting a chance to show their explosive skills. Especially as both Pacheco and Hunt are coming back from injuries. And there’s precedent, too. Both Ingram and Lockhart were waived as “injured”. If Pacheco suffers from another injury or doesn’t live up to the expectations, then that’s that. Andy Reid has been cutting players left and right since the start of this offseason, and making new additions to help Mahomes. Just look at all the players they’ve already let go.
Andy Reid’s no-holds-barred offseason moves
Andy Reid is looking more and more like a surgeon operating without compassion at the Chiefs’ weak links. His mission is obvious. Get that Super Bowl, and do it with the best possible additions on both sides of the ball. If that means cutting out players, so be it. He’s not looking back. B.J. Thompson was waived. Blake Lynch was cut. Anthony Firkser and Shaun Bradley are gone, too. With so many roster shakeups, it’s evident they only want the best with them for the future. And after freeing up space in the roster, Reid has added some serious strength, too.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes talks to head coach Andy Reid before the start of Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 11, 2024. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY SBP20240211706 JONxSOOHOO
For the offense, Reid’s got Josh Simmons, Jalen Royals, and Barshad Smith from the draft. After the drafts, he went straight to the undrafted agents and chose 5 players on the offense. Elijah Badger, Mac Dalena, and Jimmy Holiday add to the WR depth chart now. It was the same strategy for defense too, as they got 7 new names, including Jacobe Covington and Glendon Miller. It looks like Patrick Mahomes now has everything he could need going forward. All eyes will be on Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with the new players, to show up and show out.
The Chiefs will get a shot to beat the Eagles a little earlier this season. With their matchup in week 2, the Chiefs could go all out right from the start and show the other 30 teams they’re in it to win it again. With so many roster shakeups already behind us, one has to wonder, what will Andy Reid do next to secure the Chiefs’ future?
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