The Kansas City Chiefs come into the offseason needing to move some money around this offseason to keep their core group of players intact in their bid to complete a threepeat in the 2024 season. A hero from the Chiefs’ Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers is a likely cut.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a lot of poor WR play in 2023
Dec 10, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) scores a touchdown during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The play would be called back due to an offensive penalty. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was a Super Bowl hero
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) makes a catch for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Valdes-Scantling only had 21 receptions for 315 yards and one touchdown in the regular season. Fortunately for the Chiefs, MVS turned it on in the Super Bowl. He finished with three receptions for 20 yards and caught a critical touchdown in the Chiefs comeback win.
The Chiefs could cut MVS
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Okada, with the NFL’s website, wrote about anticipated cap casualties this offseason. Okada thinks MVS could be out, even after his spectacular play in the Super Bowl:
“A couple big catches notwithstanding, Valdes-Scantling was more memorable for his missed plays in 2023 and finished the regular season with just 21 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown.
That’s nowhere close to the numbers needed to justify his $14 million cap hit in 2024. With MVS counting for just $2 million in dead money (and $12M in savings), the three-peat hungry Chiefs would be well served to move on and seek their admittedly much-needed WR depth elsewhere.”
Per Over the Cap, the Chiefs are heading into the offseason with about $15 million in cap space. The team needs to extend star defensive tackle Chris Jones, which won’t be cheap. The Chiefs could try to find a WR2 or WR3 in free agency and build around Rice as their WR1 for 2023.
But the Chiefs should consider adding a wide receiver in April’s loaded pass-catching draft.
