What an absolute disgust last night was. There is NOT a positive thing to take away from this game, with the silver lining being BIG changes should/will be happening to this organization. We were embarrassed and did not show up on EVERY Prime Time Game this year. Complete fraud of a team - regardless of injuries. These are the changes I feel need to happen, listed below... I am Kyler supporter as many know, but he looked like crap last night. Worse game of his career in my opinion. There are several reason that attributed to his disgusting performance, but he too needs to be held accountable - on many accounts! At the end of the day though, he it is NOT realistic that he gets traded this off-season. My list below, are realistic changes in my opinion... Feel free to debate (also, not necessarily in particular order).
1. Fire the coaching staff. Clean house. Kliff isn't it. Doesn't know how to play call in the NFL (there is reason why our offense collapses in the second half of the season). Doesn't play to players strengths, doesn't have the team motivated/prepared, zero accountability by coach bro. He flat out looks confused and nervous on the sideline. Was hired as an offensive guru, if he's not calling the plays then there is no reason to hire an OC and keep him on board. Vance needs to go as well... Wasted 2 first round LBs that this guy doesn't know how to utilize, zero adjustments and his schemes simply do not make sense even to a casual fan. New coaching staff is going to want his coaching staff in there, so clean the rest of the house. Need a coach or OC that can develop a NFL QB. Kyler NEEDS coaching, development or we will be in NFL purgatory for the next 5 years.
2. Offensive Line - The most laughable group in the NFL. Maybe the NYG's line is the only comparable. We know 3 things; 1) Kyler will forever fail to meet expectations without a clean pocket. 2) Kyler is small in stature. I don't believe standing/stepping up in the pocket to get drilled by an unblocked Donald or anyone for that matter is an option. At his size, I would have looked frantic as well last night. 3) We will play 4 games a year, every year against 2 of the most disruptive, powerful defensive lines in the league in Rams and 49ers. Hudson and Beachum are our ONLY 2 adequate lineman. Time to do what Kansas City did for Mahomes this past off-season... Gave Mahomes 4 BRAND NEW starters (5 if you count the guy starting who opted out last year). Mighty Mahomes worse game in his career was last years Super Bowl. Absolutely could not do anything without protection. We can save $15mm and $10mm against the cap by cutting Hump and Pugh by 6/1. Limited dead money at $4mm and $2mm respectively. There is no question we should do this. Hump is NOT elite and doesn't deserve to be paid as so. Use that $25mm in cap and draft to get the best Olineman out there. This team and QB goes no where without this. Here is a great article on what a new line has done for KC. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article257170697.html
3. Wide Receivers - Aidos to Green and Kirk. Green is cooked as far as effort and intelligence goes. If he wants to come back in a more limited role and cheaper, I welcome it - otherwise aidos! Kirk, let someone else overpay for him. I don't care if he's Kyler's buddy. Leaves us with Hopkins, Rondale, a cheap Wesley. Go sign Michael Gallup and find someone who can get separation from the defense.
4. Running Backs - Would love to resign James Conner and Edmonds. Probably not likely to sign both and NOT a position any team can over spend on. Give me JC if we have to choose.
5. Tight Ends - Resign Ertz and Max. I think these 2 player's and their impact speak for themselves.
6. Defensive Backs - Need help here. Should be your draft focus after Oline. Too expensive and volatile to chase a big name player in FA. Seems too often big free agent CB's bomb out instantly or after a year.
7. Linebackers - Who even knows what we truly have in Simmons and Collins? Did they look lost in this scheme - yes...but is it them or the scheme. Simmons has flashed potential and yet has been a liability so many times. We aren't playing to his strengths I can certainly tell you that. Collins - who knows? Doesn't play. Hicks - thank you for your service, but you are too slow to be a starter in this league anymore. We save $6.5mm in cutting Hicks by June 1. This will happen. Our 'dead money' was at $14mm in 2021. We are entering 2022 with only $300k in dead money. Cutting Hicks/Hump/Pugh, will result in $9mm in dead money while creating an additional $31.5mm in cap space. Kennard prob stuck with a salary hit of $4m and dead equivalent of $4m.
8. Defensive Line - Edge Rushers/Run Stuffers. Let CJ walk. He's simply too expensive and on the decline I as noted in his thread. Edge rushers have a sharp decline after age 32 unless your name is Reggie White. I noted all the star edge rushers in that thread that are having career worse years. We simply have WAY too many holes on this team to jam up $16mm in cap on a guy that will likely decline again next year. Do we assess this through the draft or FA? I don't know the answer to that, but I do know the answer is not wasting that large amount of cap room on a guy whose worse years are yet to come. IDL. Would love another run stuffer here as well. We have some decent pieces, but the problem is they can't stay healthy. I'd love to go after some younger riskier cheaper options (Dante Flower, Randy Gregor) or spend some money to get Emmanuel Ogbah.
"Funny fact when doing this research...Calais, JPP, Hughes, Von Miller and Houston - all 32 years of age or older. EVERY single one of these players had their lowest season sack total when STARTING 10 more more games. That's a pretty damning coincidence for those campaigning $12mm+ for 3 years for CJ.
9. GM - This is probably the hottest take as this guy gave us the roster through lack of depth signings and non-impactful draft picks... I am OK to keep Keim. 1) I don't think Bidwill fires him. 2) At least he's willing to be aggressive as shown through trades and vet signings (even if they all haven't panned out). I'd rather have a GM who is willing to shake things up then stay stagnant and do little to nothing. After getting Hopkins and Watt to Arizona, I don't believe any move is off the table for Keim. I respect that and like that. We will find out next year with a new DC whether Simmons and Collins were truly wasted 1st round picks.
1. Fire the coaching staff. Clean house. Kliff isn't it. Doesn't know how to play call in the NFL (there is reason why our offense collapses in the second half of the season). Doesn't play to players strengths, doesn't have the team motivated/prepared, zero accountability by coach bro. He flat out looks confused and nervous on the sideline. Was hired as an offensive guru, if he's not calling the plays then there is no reason to hire an OC and keep him on board. Vance needs to go as well... Wasted 2 first round LBs that this guy doesn't know how to utilize, zero adjustments and his schemes simply do not make sense even to a casual fan. New coaching staff is going to want his coaching staff in there, so clean the rest of the house. Need a coach or OC that can develop a NFL QB. Kyler NEEDS coaching, development or we will be in NFL purgatory for the next 5 years.
2. Offensive Line - The most laughable group in the NFL. Maybe the NYG's line is the only comparable. We know 3 things; 1) Kyler will forever fail to meet expectations without a clean pocket. 2) Kyler is small in stature. I don't believe standing/stepping up in the pocket to get drilled by an unblocked Donald or anyone for that matter is an option. At his size, I would have looked frantic as well last night. 3) We will play 4 games a year, every year against 2 of the most disruptive, powerful defensive lines in the league in Rams and 49ers. Hudson and Beachum are our ONLY 2 adequate lineman. Time to do what Kansas City did for Mahomes this past off-season... Gave Mahomes 4 BRAND NEW starters (5 if you count the guy starting who opted out last year). Mighty Mahomes worse game in his career was last years Super Bowl. Absolutely could not do anything without protection. We can save $15mm and $10mm against the cap by cutting Hump and Pugh by 6/1. Limited dead money at $4mm and $2mm respectively. There is no question we should do this. Hump is NOT elite and doesn't deserve to be paid as so. Use that $25mm in cap and draft to get the best Olineman out there. This team and QB goes no where without this. Here is a great article on what a new line has done for KC. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article257170697.html
3. Wide Receivers - Aidos to Green and Kirk. Green is cooked as far as effort and intelligence goes. If he wants to come back in a more limited role and cheaper, I welcome it - otherwise aidos! Kirk, let someone else overpay for him. I don't care if he's Kyler's buddy. Leaves us with Hopkins, Rondale, a cheap Wesley. Go sign Michael Gallup and find someone who can get separation from the defense.
4. Running Backs - Would love to resign James Conner and Edmonds. Probably not likely to sign both and NOT a position any team can over spend on. Give me JC if we have to choose.
5. Tight Ends - Resign Ertz and Max. I think these 2 player's and their impact speak for themselves.
6. Defensive Backs - Need help here. Should be your draft focus after Oline. Too expensive and volatile to chase a big name player in FA. Seems too often big free agent CB's bomb out instantly or after a year.
7. Linebackers - Who even knows what we truly have in Simmons and Collins? Did they look lost in this scheme - yes...but is it them or the scheme. Simmons has flashed potential and yet has been a liability so many times. We aren't playing to his strengths I can certainly tell you that. Collins - who knows? Doesn't play. Hicks - thank you for your service, but you are too slow to be a starter in this league anymore. We save $6.5mm in cutting Hicks by June 1. This will happen. Our 'dead money' was at $14mm in 2021. We are entering 2022 with only $300k in dead money. Cutting Hicks/Hump/Pugh, will result in $9mm in dead money while creating an additional $31.5mm in cap space. Kennard prob stuck with a salary hit of $4m and dead equivalent of $4m.
8. Defensive Line - Edge Rushers/Run Stuffers. Let CJ walk. He's simply too expensive and on the decline I as noted in his thread. Edge rushers have a sharp decline after age 32 unless your name is Reggie White. I noted all the star edge rushers in that thread that are having career worse years. We simply have WAY too many holes on this team to jam up $16mm in cap on a guy that will likely decline again next year. Do we assess this through the draft or FA? I don't know the answer to that, but I do know the answer is not wasting that large amount of cap room on a guy whose worse years are yet to come. IDL. Would love another run stuffer here as well. We have some decent pieces, but the problem is they can't stay healthy. I'd love to go after some younger riskier cheaper options (Dante Flower, Randy Gregor) or spend some money to get Emmanuel Ogbah.
"Funny fact when doing this research...Calais, JPP, Hughes, Von Miller and Houston - all 32 years of age or older. EVERY single one of these players had their lowest season sack total when STARTING 10 more more games. That's a pretty damning coincidence for those campaigning $12mm+ for 3 years for CJ.
9. GM - This is probably the hottest take as this guy gave us the roster through lack of depth signings and non-impactful draft picks... I am OK to keep Keim. 1) I don't think Bidwill fires him. 2) At least he's willing to be aggressive as shown through trades and vet signings (even if they all haven't panned out). I'd rather have a GM who is willing to shake things up then stay stagnant and do little to nothing. After getting Hopkins and Watt to Arizona, I don't believe any move is off the table for Keim. I respect that and like that. We will find out next year with a new DC whether Simmons and Collins were truly wasted 1st round picks.