Super Bowl LIX exposed some glaring issues with the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Throughout the 40-22 bludgeoning by the Philadelphia Eagles, Chiefs’ linemen struggled to block and receivers could not create separation.
Needless to say that is no recipe for success when competing against the best defense in the NFL.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes shouldered much of the blame coming out of that contest. His performance certainly fell short of his standard, but ultimately his abilities were limited by what the Eagles defense disrupting every facet of the Chiefs offense.
The immediate response is to regroup. The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl three years in a row, so making the necessary adjustments should put them in place to contend for a championship next season.
However, Kansas City has a number of key free agents, both offensive and defensively, hitting the market this offseason. Not all of these players will be maintained and not all are easily replaceable.
Combining the impact of those potential losses with the need for improvement, the Chiefs will be looking for a power move to right the ship. Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport believes Kansas City can execute such a move with a “dream trade” for Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf.
“Metcalf is headed into the final year of his contract, and with Jaxon Smith-Njigba usurping him as Seattle’s No. 1 receiver in 2024, there has been quite a bit of speculation the Seahawks could move the two-time Pro Bowler.
It wouldn’t be cheap-a deal of this magnitude could require both Kansas City’s 31st overall pick and a new contract for Metcalf. But the Chiefs are one of a few teams for which dealing its first pick for a proven veteran makes sense.”
Smith-Njigba usurped Metcalf this season, finishing with 1,130 yards that moved from wide receiver No. 3 to No. 1. The Seahawks are in a bind with their salary cap with Tyler Lockett’s contract as well, so they could explore an overall reset around Smith-Njigba with a few moves this offseason.
On the Chiefs side, they are in desperate need of a true No. 1 receiver. They have bought time utilizing a revolving door of average receivers, but the time has come to give Mahomes a real weapon that can stretch a defense downfield.
Metcalf checks that box with a sharpie and immediately elevates a receivers group that still has Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice.
Granted, the infrastructure of this offense would still need attending to and the Chiefs must maneuver their cap space in such a way that they could pull of this deal.
But adding Metcalf or another receiver of his caliber to this offense immediately sends a message about the Chiefs’ ability to contend in 2025.