In the current NFL landscape, the AFC West division seems to have been unofficially renamed to “the Kansas City Chiefs Invitational,” much owed to the star power of Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback whose mantle boasts three Super Bowl MVP awards. The Chiefs’ dominance in securing the AFC West title for the eighth consecutive year, a streak dating back to 2016 under Alex Smith’s leadership, places them just behind the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era New England Patriots, who clinched the AFC East division championships 11 times in a row from 2009-2019.
As the league anticipates the beginning of training camps in July, the question looms: Is there any AFC West team capable of dethroning Kansas City? To explore this, we delve into the key issues and potential adjustments each team in the division faces.
Kansas City Chiefs
Notably, Travis Kelce has been Mahomes’ primary target, but second-round pick wide receiver Rashee Rice appeared to be emerging as Mahomes’ future go-to receiver after an impressive rookie season. Rice, however, faces potentially career-impacting legal challenges, placing his availability for the start of the 2024 season in question.
Xavier Worthy, a 2024 first-round pick, and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, a free agent acquisition, are among those who could potentially fill in. The team is notably looking to rejuvenate Mahomes’ deep passing game, an area of his game that has seen a decline since Tyreek Hill’s departure.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders faced disappointment in the 2024 NFL Draft, unable to secure a top quarterback prospect. Instead, they chose tight end Brock Bowers, aiming to enhance their offensive weaponry.
With quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell competing for the starting position, the Raiders are eyeing improved consistency and performance, albeit forecasting a transition year ahead. Their hope rests on a blend of veteran and young talents, including All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams and Georgia tight end Bowers, to make a push in the competitive division.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, decided against adding a high-profile receiver from the 2024 NFL Draft, choosing instead to fortify Justin Herbert’s protection with offensive tackle Joe Alt. The team’s strategy also included signing DJ Chark and drafting receivers in the later rounds. The arrival of offensive coordinator Greg Roman hints at a shift towards a run-heavy offense, leveraging free agent running backs JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards, aiming to balance out the offensive strategy and alleviate pressure from Herbert.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos have opted for a significant reset at the quarterback position, parting ways with Russell Wilson and absorbing a considerable financial hit. Their new direction includes Bo Nix, a promising draft pick with a noteworthy college completion percentage, and Zach Wilson, aiming for a turnaround after a challenging stint with the Jets. Denver’s offensive rebuild incorporates a blend of rookies and established receivers, aiming to craft a balanced attack centered around running back Javonte Williams.
As the AFC West gears up for the upcoming season, the Chiefs remain the team to beat, but the evolving dynamics and roster changes among their division rivals suggest an intriguing and competitive battle ahead.
