In his short time with the Chiefs and even the Missouri Tigers, Maclin impacted several football teams in the state.
Prior to his Chiefs debut in 2015, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin grew up in the state of Missouri.
Maclin grew up in Kirkwood and attended Kirkwood high school. Of course, he starred in football. His route looped back to his alma mater, as he was just recently named the next high school football coach at Kirkwood.
After earning four stars on Rivals, the class of 2006 receiver kept his talents in the Show-Me state. Maclin would sign his letter of intent to play for the University of Missouri and he certainly left his legacy.
At Missouri, quarterback Chase Daniel and Maclin pushed the Tigers and the program to new heights. Maclin was awarded two consensus All-American selections on his way to a first-round draft selection.
After the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Maclin 19th overall in the 2009 NFL Draft, expectations were high. Maclin signed a five-year rookie deal with the Eagles.
After his first four seasons, Maclin average 863 receiving yards along with six and a half touchdowns. That production was consistent for those years, then Maclin reached his contract season.
Maclin exploded in his fifth-year, recording 1,318 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, including a Pro Bowl alternate selection. Then his big contract day came but in a more familiar setting.
The Chiefs offered Maclin a five-year, $55 million contract before the 2015 season. After he signed, Maclin returned back to his home state and area where fans loved and hated him (depending on which side of the Border War you’re on.)
Maclin produced for the Chiefs right away, contributing another thousand-yard season with eight touchdowns. The team even clinched a playoff birth, but Maclin’s ankle sprain limited him and the offense.
After a 30-0 blowout victory against the Houston Texans, the Chiefs traveled to New England to face off against quarterback Tom Brady. The Chiefs would fall short and lose 27-20 with their best wide receiver threat limited.
The next season saw Maclin battle through a torn groin, despite this he played 12 regular-season games. But the Chiefs saw his high price tag as a problem moving forward with the cap space, according to Sports Illustrated.
Had his contract not been so high and he had been healthier, Maclin could have seen a much longer time professionally for the Chiefs. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t impacted and served Chiefs Kingdom.
Through not only coaching local Missouri football, Maclin has left football fans of Missouri in awe of his production. Both collegiately and professionally, he has put a stamp on the game and this organization even with a temporary stay with the Chiefs.
