Kansas City could still bring these guys back.
As the reigning, back-to-back Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs now look ahead to the bulk of their offseason activities with a roster that’s pretty much set.
With the league having gotten through the 2024 NFL Draft and free agency dying down, now is where teams start shifting the focus to the grueling days ahead.
Still, there could be room for the Chiefs to add a little more to this roster. Specifically, there are a few players who were with Kansas City this last season which remain unsigned.
1. Donovan Smith, OT
He might not be the answer to start at left tackle, but veteran Donovan Smith would still be worth bringing back. The Chiefs have two young players battling it out for that gig in second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia and last year’s third-round pick, Wanya Morris.
Smith took a significant step back in 2023, especially when it came to pass protection. Per Pro Football Focus, his grade went from 70.0 in 2022 to 60.3 last year. That’s an alarming difference, and of course could be due to age.
Going on 31 years old, Smith probably doesn’t have many productive years left. However, for a team looking at making yet another Super Bowl run, Smith is well-worth bringing back. If anything, helping bring along the young guys and adding insurance to the right side, behind Jawaan Taylor, could be useful for this Chiefs offense.
2. Mecole Hardman, WR
After four seasons in Kansas City, wide receiver Mecole Hardman signed with the New York Jets last offseason. His stint in New York? That didn’t exactly pan out the way he had envisioned.
After being active for just five games, receiving only three targets and catching one pass for six yards, Hardman was traded back to the Chiefs in exchange for swapping late-round picks.
Then, after his return to the Chiefs, Hardman caught 14 of 21 targets in six games, for 118 yards. He wasn’t a huge factor by any means, but his familiarity with the offense and locker room certainly helped. He was also used a bit on special teams, as a return man.
Oh, and let’s not forget Hardman was the one who caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII just a few months ago.
This offseason, the Chiefs have signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown along with drafting Xavier Worthy in the first round. But, Rashee Rice could be missing for a good chunk of the season due to a suspension. Because of this, adding any more talent at the receiver position feels like a necessity. Sure, the Chiefs still have Skyy Moore, Justin Watson and Kadarius Toney. But, depth still feels like an issue.
3. Jerick McKinnon, RB
At this point, the running back room for the Chiefs looks slimmer than it should at this point with Isiah Pacheco backed up by Clyde Edwards-Helaire and little else. The team even released La’Mical Perine in the last week to further clear up the picture in a room that holds very little experience or proven production behind the aforementioned duo, which could signal a potential return for a familiar face.
Jerick McKinnon is the missing piece in the Chiefs backfield in this point, a proven tandem partner for Pacheco who can spell him on third downs and serve as a well-rounded threat who is a capable pass blocker with soft hands. McKinnon had a high floor for the Chiefs on passing downs in that he could be trusted to handle anything asked of him in short supply.
The reason McKinnon is a free agent at this point likely points to his age (32) and injury history. At some point, every player hits the wall and it’s likely the Chiefs are hoping a younger back with fresher legs can win the role. Perhaps that will work out in training camp and someone will emerge that makes sense.
Until then, however, McKinnon might just be a re-signing we’ll see for a team that’s had no problem getting the band back together at many other positions.
