As a new league year begins on March 15, free agency is the first of two big events to take place across the NFL during the spring along with the draft from April 27-29. The reigning Super Bowl champs have a total of 15 players that are pending free agents on their roster. However, there are three specific players the Chiefs can not afford to lose to other teams and are important pieces to re-sign.
1. Offensive Tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
Brown was arguably the Chiefs’ biggest piece to the offensive line’s success this past season. He was acquired from the Baltimore Ravens via trade in 2021 and its paid dividends. In 2022, Brown allowed only a total of four sacks and after a slow start to the year, he finished as one of the best offensive tackles in football ranking third with a grade of 88.7 in pass blocking from Pro Football Focus. We have heard a lot of chatter from the wannabe analysts, and couch GMs on Twitter, stating he allowed the most pressures on Mahomes of many O linemen. This was simply not true. In fact, the people reporting it wouldn’t even be able to produce these numbers Truth be known, Andrew Wyille allowed more sacks and the most pressures of all O Lineman for the Chiefs during the regular season.
He also was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season. It’s safe to say that if the Chiefs’ offensive line plans to stay in contract for 2023, re-signing Brown is one of their biggest priorities if not the biggest.
2. Running Back Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon had a career year in 2022, specifically as a receiver out of the backfield. The eight-year veteran finished the regular season with 58 receptions, 512 receiving yards, and nine receiving touchdowns which were second most on the team, only behind tight end Travis Kelce who finished with 12 touchdowns. Even at 31 years old, he is still one of the best all-purpose backs in the game. 9 of his 10 touchdowns came from the receiving role.
McKinnon is one of Patrick Mahomes’ most valuable weapons so expect Kansas City to do everything possible to bring him back for next season.
3. Wide Receiver Juju Smith-Schuster
The former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver was traded to Kansas City before the 2022 season began. He led the wide receiver group in receiving yards with 933 on 78 catches and three touchdowns.
While the numbers might not be eye-popping, he and Marquez Valdes-Scantling will top the depth chart next season and Kansas City will need depth at the position so I would not be shocked if Smith-Schuster signs a contract for next year and beyond. Fellow teammates Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman are also pending free agents when the new league year begins on March 15, so they are also worth keeping an eye on. Juju has made it very clear he wants to stay in Kansas City, With that being said we know he was brought in on a 5 million-dollar one-year contract. There is no question that will increase with an extension, but it’s surely not going to break the bank. He wants to be here and the Chiefs want him here.
