When a team is coming off of a Super Bowl season like the Kansas City Chiefs are, it can be hard to identify any weaknesses on the roster. However, after the confetti falls and we merge into free agency, there were definitely players on the roster that weren’t holding their own weight. Here are the weakest links for the Chiefs on offense, defense, and special teams.
Offense – LeSean McCoy RB
LeSean McCoy was brought in to bolster an unproven running game for the Kansas City Chiefs. Instead, with ball-security issues and Damien Williams proving himself late in the season, McCoy was unable to make his reunion with Andy Reid a successful one. In fact, McCoy didn’t see a snap after week 15. He was inactive for the playoffs and the Super Bowl. Reid trusted rookie Darwin Thompson with critical red zone carries over the 31-year-old McCoy. The former Eagle and Bill will not be returning to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. The Chiefs will be looking to replace him potentially in the NFL draft.
Defense – Anthony Hitchens LB
Anthony Hitchens combined for 88 tackles, four hits on the QB, and one forced fumble. Pro Football Focus graded him with a 48.9, which is more than ten points higher than last year when Hitchens was the lowest graded linebacker in the league.
It is good that he is improving in Steve Spagnuolo’s system, but he is nowhere near matching his 5-year $45 million-dollar contract that he signed in 2018. He struggles against both the run and the pass, and he has issues moving laterally in space. Even though he is improving from last season’s awful performance, it is still disappointing since he is a natural 4-3 linebacker.
Special Teams – Dustin Colquitt P
Dustin Colquitt had 48 punts and averaged 44.3 yards in 2019. He has always been a reliable punter during his 15-season tenure with the Chiefs, but last season provided a few unfortunate plays on his behalf, including a mishandled snap on a field goal against the Titans that would have put the game away. The Titans would go on to win. He has also shown limits on his deep punts, probably due to age. Now, I do not think that Colquitt is anywhere near the liability that the previous two players are, but he will be 38 in May and is in the final year of his contract. He is due to make $1.9 million next season. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Chiefs look to bring in a younger, cheaper punter in the offseason.
