An optimist's guide to the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs

Here are three reasons to be optimistic about the Chiefs in 2024.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes 

Only 28, Mahomes already has a résumé that could merit Hall of Fame consideration. Per BetMGM, he is one of five quarterbacks with three or more Super Bowl rings (Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw and Troy Aikman).

In 16 games last season, Mahomes posted the second-lowest passer rating (92.6) of his career, which was still above the league average (89). Unsurprisingly, Trevor Sikkema rates him as the best QB in the league, placing him in his own tier.

Expect Mahomes to re-enter the MVP conversation in 2024. As of Monday, FanDuel gives him the best odds (+500) to win the award for the third time ahead of Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud.  

Improved receiving corps 

One reason Mahomes' numbers dipped last season was inconsistent pass-catchers who struggled to make explosive plays. Per Pro Football Reference, the Chiefs led the league in drops (44) and ranked second to last in average depth of target (6.2 yards).   

Kansas City prioritized upgrading its receiving corps this offseason, signing WR Marquise Brown to a one-year, $7M deal and drafting Texas' Xavier Worthy with the 28th overall pick. Mahomes indicated these moves should reignite the Chiefs' downfield passing attack.

"I think this year we're going to have a team that's built to throw the ball deep," Mahomes recently said on "The Pat McAfee Show." "Coach [Andy] Reid's been preaching it all offseason, we're going to get back to throwing the deep ball. I have to be smart when we do that, but at the same time I want to be that explosive offense that we've seen in the past."

Third-year cornerback Trent McDuffie is ready to replace L'Jarius Sneed

In March, the Chiefs dealt Sneed — who allowed zero touchdown catches in 16 games last season — to the Tennessee Titans. Kansas City needs McDuffie to fill Sneed's shoes and become a lockdown corner. He seems to believe he can do that.

"I don't know if it's a need, but it's definitely something that, as a competitor, it's 100 percent what I want to do, getting to line up against the best receivers each week," McDuffie said of assuming Sneed's role, via The Atheltic's Nate Taylor. "That's why I'm doing what I'm doing."

McDuffie, who earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2023, should give Chiefs fans plenty of confidence. In 16 games last season, the 23-year-old defensive back allowed a career-best two TD catches and 490 receiving yards in coverage.