The Kansas City Chiefs are still searching for answers when it comes to improving their passing game, specifically with their wide receiver corps. Multiple Chiefs' receivers are still struggling with drops, route running, and penalties, which has led to turnovers and long down-and-distance situations every week. Even their best pass-catcher, tight end Travis Kelce, has had some struggles as of late.
On Sunday against the New England Patriots, the Chiefs changed things up with their personnel and formations. Kansas City spent a lot of time in 12 and 13 personnel. 12 personnel features one running back, two receivers, and two tight ends. 13 personnel features one running back, one receiver, and three tight ends. Both packages allow the offense to run the ball with extra blockers up front or give it an extra pass catcher who isn't a wide receiver.
The Chiefs' No. 2 tight end is Noah Gray, who caught two passes for 37 yards against New England. While his opportunities are understandably limited playing behind a future Hall of Famer in Kelce, Gray has been pretty dependable when called upon and has made a handful of big plays over the last couple of seasons. Gray also does a lot of unappreciated things well such as run blocking and playing special teams.
Playing more 12 or 13 personnel could pay dividends for the Chiefs' offense. Gray has shown he is sure-handed and knows where he's supposed to be. With two or three tight ends on the field, it would limit snaps for some of the struggling K.C. receivers such as Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore (now on injured reserve). It would also give a boost to the running game, which has been hit-or-miss throughout the season.
Coach Andy Reid acknowledged that 12 and 13 personnel looks are good options for the offense, and recognized Gray's value to the team.
“We’ve been doing quite a little bit of that throughout the year," Reid said. "Noah (Gray) is a good football player, and so we’ve tried to utilize him more as we go and (he) still has a big dose of the special teams, he has done very well. Blake (Bell) has also done a nice job when called on. We feel comfortable with the three tight end positions, too. We’ve done that though throughout. To have the flexibility to give them different personnel groups, still use the three wides (wide receivers) I think is good also, a good mixture helps.”
Not to be forgotten is K.C.'s No. 3 tight end Blake Bell, who is almost strictly a blocker and special teams contributor. While he's not much of a threat as a pass catcher, there is value in him being on the field as an extra blocker.
Going with a physical, ground-and-pound approach may suit this season's version of the Chiefs' offense better, along with getting Gray and the running backs more involved in the passing game.
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