The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a complicated offseason, to say the least. They have a big list of needs to address, and even though Patrick Mahomes is aiming to be ready for the start of the season, his knee injury raises more questions than answers.
Travis Kelce might retire, and the Chiefs will have roughly 36 players under contract. They're also projected to be $44 million over the salary cap, and with just six draft picks and no selection after Round 5, they will have to do plenty of juggling.
That's why Andy Reid wants to watch the guys who didn't get to play that much before their playoff elimination earn their spots on the team next season. Talking to the media, he claimed that they will look to close out the year on a high note.
More than that, he finally hinted at some personnel changes for a team that seems long overdue for a shake-up.
Andy Reid hints at a Chiefs retool
“As we go here, we’re finding a lot out about our team. Some of the young guys are having opportunities to play. We’re going to finish this season strong and with effort," Reid said, per Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. "Then you get into the offseason, but I’m always optimistic about going forward. (General Manager) Brett Veach does a heck of a job with bringing players in, as you can see now by the guys that are in there playing. Then it’s our responsibility to clean things up on the coaching side of it and the players to take responsibility on their end and finish these three games, and then whoever is here after to retool it.”
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy have drawn plenty of criticism, and while defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has already earned his stripes, he also failed to adapt his scheme to his players this season.
The Chiefs seemed to have gotten way too complacent after so many years of dominance, and that includes the coaching staff. The players weren't always ready to play, and there seemed to be little to no accountability there.
That's why, if Reid intends to keep the torch lit and bring the team back to the mountaintop, he's going to have to make sure that whoever is there is up to the standards, be it a coach, a first-round pick, or an undrafted free agent.
The dynasty, as we know it, may have come to an end, but with a healthy Mahomes, this team should always stand a chance. Now, it's up to the front office to give him the supporting cast he deserves.