Chiefs' Offensive Reload Defined By One Key Position

More than any offseason in recent years, there is a feeling of vulnerability for the Kansas City Chiefs. A one-game sample from Super Bowl LIX has resonated in a major way, defining early expectations for the team next season. 

Now is that fair for the champions of the AFC five out of the last six seasons? Maybe not, but the final game of the 2024 season did expose some flaws that no other team besides the Philadelphia Eagles exploited to such an extent. 

Some of those rest on the offensive side where the Chiefs struggled at times to even threaten a move of the chains. While the Eagles' outstanding defense turned in a legendary performance, there were glaring issues with the Chiefs not stacking up. 

One of those pain points remains at wide receiver. Andy Reid has some puzzle pieces at the position that either he must make a fit or choose to disregard. 

Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are the two young stars of the group counted on for the biggest impact week to week. However, separate injury and off-the-field issues have their prospects for the entirety of 2025 in question. 

Hollywood Brown like Rice missed most of last season with an injury so his return will be something to monitor. Juju Smith-Schuster remains in the fold while those further down the depth chart including Skyy Moore and Justyn Ross are in danger of being the odd ones out. 

There are many assets who provide many of the same talents for this offense. That means inevitably there will be a select few who will not make it through the summer once the Chiefs cut down to a final 53. 

With that in mind, what will the Chiefs need from their wide receivers? The Chiefs have not had a true No. 1 really since Tyreek Hill left and have gotten by just fine with tight end Travis Kelce being that go-to target. 

Heading into his final season, it's hard to expect that same level of performance. 

Clearly, Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs receivers have a variety of challenges for each player spanning from improvement to making the roster altogether. As the players and coaching staff work through those trials this summer, they will need the pieces to come together to keep this machine operating at a high level.