The most recent
NFL rookie grades: Rating every 2024 draft class, from No. 1 to 32 | NFL.com
29 – Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Class grade: C-
Kansas Metropolis’s first two picks loomed giant in Tremendous Bowl LIX, despite the fact that solely one in all them performed within the blowout loss. Let’s begin with the great. Xavier Worthy steadily progressed over the course of the season, turning into the Chiefs’ go-to man down the stretch. Catching at the very least 5 passes in seven straight begins main into Tremendous Bowl Sunday, Worthy saved his greatest for final, corralling all eight of his targets for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Sure, many of the manufacturing got here after the sport was already determined, however the rookie’s first 100-yard effort may need been the one silver lining of a Ok.C. nightmare. Talking of nightmares, the Chiefs’ offensive line was a ticking time bomb all season lengthy, in the end exploding on soccer’s greatest stage. Whereas each bookends proved problematic, the left deal with spot was the fixed problem Andy Reid needed to scheme round. Second-round choose Kingsley Suamataia began the primary two video games in September however struggled so mightily he spent the remainder of the season as a reserve, not enjoying a snap within the Tremendous Bowl. Nobody’s saying Suamataia can’t take important strides this offseason and re-emerge as a think about 12 months 2, however he clearly wasn’t prepared to guard Patrick Mahomes’ blind aspect in 12 months 1.
6 Trades, Free-agency Choices and Groups That May Outline 2025 NFL Offseason | Bleacher Report
Can the Chiefs Hold Their Heads Above Water?
Trey Smith might depart in free company to signal with a cap-rich workforce just like the Patriots, but it surely doesn’t cease there for the defending AFC champions. The Chiefs have been hemorrhaging expertise for a number of years, and it’s onerous to think about them hanging on for much longer.
Starters Charles Omenihu, Justin Reid and Nick Bolton are additionally slated to hitch Smith on the open market, in addition to Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Tershawn Wharton and Josh Uche.
For a workforce with restricted cap house and draft capital, that could possibly be an issue.
The Chiefs had been fortunate to land within the Tremendous Bowl regardless of a mediocre offense and disappointing season from Patrick Mahomes in 2024. Undertaking that required them to be excellent in 12 one-score regular-season and playoff video games.
However with the aforementioned circumstances plaguing them getting into this offseason, and with the Payments, Ravens, Bengals, Broncos and Chargers approaching within the AFC, we could also be about to witness the autumn of an empire.
Report: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Had ‘Legit Tremendous Bowl Fatigue’ Earlier than Loss to Eagles | Bleacher Report
Henry McKenna of Fox Sports activities reported that the workforce might have been coping with some burnout after reaching three consecutive Tremendous Bowls and that it might have contributed to the workforce’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Earlier than the sport, a Chiefs coach informed me that media members had been asking him if going to Tremendous Bowls ever received previous,” McKenna wrote. “And he bluntly informed me: ‘It does.’ There was legit Tremendous Bowl fatigue from this Chiefs workforce. It was fully clear within the first half, when issues escalated shortly.”
The Chiefs have performed 154 video games because the begin of 2018 and have performed 61 whole video games during the last three seasons. That’s probably the most of any NFL workforce throughout that stretch and will have been a significant cause for the workforce’s crushing efficiency in New Orleans final Sunday.
The most important offseason wants for all 32 NFL groups: Plenty of protection, OL and some quarterbacks | The Athletic
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Left deal with
This would possibly sound repetitive, however the Chiefs are again to the place they had been final spring — or in 2023, 2022 or 2021. Even when the Chiefs had been three-time champions, their greatest roster wants can be the identical. They desperately want a viable left deal with. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked six instances in Tremendous Bowl LIX. Mahomes will probably be 30 subsequent season, and he might, for the primary time in his profession, be with out tight finish Travis Kelce, who’s contemplating retirement. The Chiefs should purchase a left deal with who generally is a reliable starter for a number of years. Bear in mind, up to now six years, the Chiefs have began a unique left deal with in every of their 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances. — Nate Taylor
Across the NFL
Two Folks Shot Close to Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl Parade | SI
Two ladies had been shot within the leg close to the Philadelphia Eagles Tremendous Bowl parade on Friday afternoon, police say. Each are in secure situation.
The incident occurred near Ben Franklin Parkway, however different particulars—together with the place precisely the capturing occurred on the Parkway, at what time it occurred, and whether or not the ladies knew the assailant—are nonetheless unclear, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.
In line with Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, the 2 ladies—who seemed to be of their 20s—had been shot by a person in an Eagles jersey following an argument. Authorities have no idea right now what the argument was about, and a regulation enforcement supply informed the Inquirer that the 2 victims didn’t know each other.
5 NFL groups poised to take main fall in 2025: Vikings, Commanders seem primed for dropoff | CBS Sports activities
Denver Broncos (10-7)
The Broncos deserve all of the credit score on this planet for profitable 10 video games and making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix. The last-season slide by no means occurred as Denver held off a late Cincinnati cost to make the playoffs, snapping a eight-season playoff drought. Nix protected the soccer all year long whereas displaying the big-play functionality together with his arm, particularly late within the 12 months.
So why would Denver take a dive in 2025, even when it’s a small one? Replicating the No. 1 move rush from final season will probably be very troublesome, particularly from a workforce that completed with 63 sacks and 5 gamers who had 5+ sacks final season. The Broncos want extra manufacturing from their operating backs and higher blocking up entrance to take the strain off Nix too.
The Broncos don’t have a brutal slate (.505 power of schedule), however will face the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders on the highway. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are additionally of their division.
Successful 10 video games is feasible for Denver, however will probably be powerful for the Broncos to match that win whole and return to the playoffs.
Cam Newton doubles down on Panthers’ ‘losers’ mentality’ earlier than arrival | ESPN
Former Carolina star quarterback Cam Newton doubled down on latest feedback that the Panthers had “a locker room of losers” earlier than drafting him with the primary total choose in 2011, saying his remarks had been “aggressive” however “true.”
Newton mentioned throughout Thursday’s “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast that he was referring to the workforce’s efficiency as a complete and never particular person gamers.
“When did we turn into so delicate?” Newton mentioned. “When did we turn into so delicate to essentially talking what the fact is? A locker room stuffed with losers? Aggressive, but it surely’s true.”
A number of former teammates, together with star extensive receiver Steve Smith Sr., took exception to feedback Newton made throughout an look on a podcast with Colorado extensive receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter main as much as the Tremendous Bowl. He spoke in regards to the strain Hunter would possibly face if he’s drafted with the No. 1 choose.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Satisfaction
Patrick Mahomes-Tom Brady GOAT debate isn’t over after Chiefs Tremendous Bowl loss to Eagles
Let’s return to Brady’s fourth Tremendous Bowl title at age 37
As talked about, Brady received his third Tremendous Bowl title at age 27 when the Patriots beat Andy Reid’s Eagles in Tremendous Bowl XXXIX (2004 season). His subsequent title, at age 37, got here because the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Tremendous Bowl XLIX (2014 season).
So, what occurred in between (particularly now, as Mahomes’ profession is immediately being outlined by a single poor efficiency)?
2005 Divisional Spherical loss: Brady and the Patriots misplaced to Jake Plummer and the Broncos, 27-13.
2006 AFC Championship: Brady and the Patriots misplaced to Peyton Manning and the Colts, 38-34, with New England blowing a 21-3 lead. Brady had an interception on what might have been a game-winning drive.
2007 Tremendous Bowl XLII: Brady and the previously-undefeated Patriots misplaced to Eli Manning and the New York Giants, 17-14.
2008 season: Brady tore his ACL in Week 1.
2009 Wild Card Spherical: Brady’s three first-quarter turnovers led to a 24-0 lead for Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens in what was a 33-14 remaining over the Patriots.
2010 Divisional Spherical: Brady and the Patriots misplaced to Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets, 28-21.
2011 Tremendous Bowl XLVI: Brady and the Patriots misplaced to Eli Manning and the Giants, once more — this time with a 21-17 remaining.
2012 AFC Championship: Brady throws two fourth-quarter interceptions as he and the Patriots lose to Ravens and Flacco, once more — this time with a 28-13 remaining.
2013 AFC Championship: Brady and the Patriots misplaced to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, 26-16.
