This ain’t Hard Knocks, We’re The Franchise.
The Kansas City Chiefs emerged as a dynasty when Brett Veach took over as their General Manager in 2017 and Patrick Mahomes took over as their starting quarterback in 2018. Since then, they’ve enjoyed success winning games at a nearly unprecedented rate. Now, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs won their second championship in the last four seasons by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. We all know the Chiefs have their own version of “Hard Knocks” and its called “The Franchise.” Both shows are behind-the-scenes reality documentary series showing the personal and professional lives of the players, coaches, and front office staff including their family life, position battles, and even inside jokes and pranks. Both shows focus on rookies’ adjustments to playing in the NFL, usually with emphasis on the team’s most recent top draft pick. It usually also chooses to focus on undrafted and journeymen players who are attempting to make the team.
With that being said, if the Chiefs ever were the focus of Hard Knocks or if The Franchise returns, here are 3 of the most important issues to cover going into the 2023 season.
1. The team looking to repeat as Super Bowl winners:
As if winning the Super Bowl wasn’t a big challenge in its self, repeating has become almost impossible in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to become the NFL’s first repeat Super Bowl champions since the Patriots in 2004. Expect the Chiefs are getting the same great play out of their offense, the same great play from quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce and a unexpected great play out of their defense led by defensive tackle Chris Jones and linebacker Nick Bolton and with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, they’re going to be a very, very tough team to beat. Even though Mahomes is a magician, he has been able to cover up a litany of problems on offensive line created by Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie last season. Jawaan Taylor and Donovon Smith are probably the biggest X-Factors for Mahomes to stay clean going to Vegas for the repeat.
The Kansas City Chiefs are favored to win all 17 games of the 2023 schedule and to repeat as NFL Champ.😳
SB 58 Odds: Chiefs +590 pic.twitter.com/dIYe3mEdQf
— MyBookie – Bet With The Best (@MyBookie) May 15, 2023
2. Rookies Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s and Rashee Rice’s adjustment to professional football:
After losing star wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to the Patriots, the Chiefs found his replacement right away. Rashee Rice’s experience playing on an All-American level should allow him to be ready to play under the bright lights with the reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes. The fact that he averaged 74.1 yards per games in college is no joke, either. Rice thrives at making highlight reel plays once the ball is in his hands and has the body control to out jump his defenders for 50/50 balls. He could be the perfect spark plug to add to a WR core made up of veteran players.
#Chiefs Rashee Rice.. catching passes. pic.twitter.com/EpopsQnbz3
— PJ Green (@PJGreenTV) May 6, 2023
Felix Anudike-Uzomah was another can’t-miss edge rusher up for grabs in 2023 and the Chiefs got the KC native to stay home. The K-State Wildcat’s 20.5 sacks combined in his three seasons, while also adding 100 total tackles and 8 forced fumbles. If that wasn’t impressive on its own, Anudike-Uzomah finished with All-American honors and Big 12 Defensive Player of The Year, Anudike-Uzomah has all the tools to be an elite NFL talent.
1st Round Pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah at #Chiefs rookie camp .. pic.twitter.com/niazj1naCo
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) May 6, 2023
3. Undrafted rookie running back Deneric Prince competing for a job:
As it stands, Isiah Pacecho, Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (for the moment) form the Chiefs’ RB room, also Mahomes counting for 18% of their rushing yards has left them looking for more RB help. That problem could be addressed if the development of undrafted rookie free agent Deneric Prince in OTAs going into training camp. With McKinnon showing no signs of slowing down and Pacheco being occasionally needed in the passing game, the Chiefs could use a playmaker with Prince’s potential. He has the type of pure rushing talent that the Chiefs has desperately lacked since Damien Williams was in his prime over five years ago. If the Chiefs wish to speed up their rebuilding, going after Prince was a no-brainer. The 23-year-old out of Tulsa appeared in 26 games with 12 starts and rushed for 1,723 yards on 314 carries (5.48 avg.) and 14 touchdowns. He wasn’t used much in the passing game, with 17 receptions for 162 yards and a score in his three seasons. Kansas City has one of the most dynamic offenses in the league and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Prince thriving in it.
If @denericprince continues to build off the impressive ending he had to his collegiate career, then he already strengthens the RB room significantly and provide a young, impressive 1-2 punch between him & @isiah_pachecoRB for the foreseeable future. pic.twitter.com/pD2q09sxZs https://t.co/8iHrYecRGQ
— Chiefs Kingdom (@ChiefsFan4Lyfe) May 10, 2023
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