Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 season: 15-2, 1st in AFC West, lost in Super Bowl to Eagles

Overview: Well, the Chiefs’ run is over.

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs were blown out in the Super Bowl by the Philadelphia Eagles, which ended their hopes of a historic three-peat. While Chiefs fans almost certainly aren’t in a good place entering this offseason, Kansas City is still in the midst of one of the most dominant runs in NFL history. With a few solid moves this offseason, there’s no reason why the Chiefs can’t at least be in contention atop the AFC again next fall.

There are several questions the team needs to answer, starting with Travis Kelce’s future. The tight end is nearing the end of his career and facing retirement rumors, which would leave an even bigger hole in the Chiefs’ receiving group. The Chiefs need help protecting Mahomes, too, as evidenced by a horrific showing in the Super Bowl.

But with Mahomes leading the way, it’s hard to count the Chiefs out no matter who they put around him. At least, it’s been impossible to do that so far in his career. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Key free agents

OL Trey Smith
LB Nick Bolton
WR Marquise Brown
WR DeAndre Hopkins
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
WR Justin Watson
WR Mecole Hardman
RB Kareem Hunt
S Justin Reed

Who’s in/out: Smith is in line for a massive deal this offseason, so he’s likely going to be out the door after being a staple on the Chiefs’ offensive line during their Super Bowl runs in recent years. If he plays it right, he could be the highest-paid guard in the league — and the Chiefs don’t really have the money to match that. Bolton and Reed have both said they want to return next season, which would help keep their defense together.

A good chunk of the Chiefs’ wide receiver room will hit free agency, too. While some departures would hurt more than others — Hopkins is probably too expensive to bring back — rebuilding and providing Mahomes with reliable targets has to be a priority for the Chiefs this summer.

Key free-agent needs

Offensive line
Wide receiver

Why the holes? Let’s start with the offensive line, which looked horrendous in the Super Bowl. The Eagles were all over Patrick Mahomes throughout the contest, yet Philadelphia didn’t blitz him once on his 42 dropbacks. After using the draft to help here, the Chiefs should find a way to either get Smith to stay — which isn't likely — or bring in help via free agency.

Again, the Chiefs need options for Mahomes. He hasn't had a true No. 1 wide receiver since Tyreek Hill left after the 2021 season. Bringing in a veteran WR whom the Chiefs can count on week in and week out — especially if Kelce walks away — would do wonders for the organization. Having to bounce between wide receivers the past several seasons, albeit for various reasons, isn’t going to keep working. They need a long-term play to help one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Do they have the money?

Not really. The Chiefs enter the offseason with nearly $16 million in cap space. That has them better than just 11 teams in the league.

Notable potential Cuts

None

Why not? The Chiefs don’t really have anybody on their roster that it makes sense financially to cut. While the team could part with some of their players this offseason, none of the moves would create significant cap space. The biggest thing that will boost their funding will come from restructuring Mahomes’ massive contract — which should give them a significant amount of cap room to work with.

As for Kelce, it would save the Chiefs more than $17 million in cap space if he retires — which would double their current amount. If he wants to stay, the Chiefs could ask him to take a pay cut. He’s the highest paid tight end in the league, but his production has been down. At age 35 and near the end of his career, the Chiefs can’t keep paying him like this.

Draft picks

1st round: No. 31
2nd round: No. 63
3rd round (from Titans): No. 66
3rd round: No. 95
4th round
7th round (compensatory)

Good draft fit

Marcus Mbow, OL, Purdue

The Chiefs need all the help on the offensive line, so they need to use at least one of their premium draft picks here. Taking Mbow, a reliable right tackle and guard who has shined at Purdue despite the Boilermakers’ recent struggles, is an easy choice.

What can move the fantasy football needle this offseason?

Tracking Isiah Pacheco’s health

Pacheco didn’t look nearly the same after returning from a fractured fibula, losing the lead-back role to 29-year-old Kareem Hunt. The Chiefs’ feature back offers major fantasy upside, and Hunt will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Kansas City’s backfield roster moves will reveal how confident the team is in Pacheco’s health and ultimately his 2025 outlook. —Dalton Del Don