Part of the reason that the Kansas City Chiefs have had so much sustained success is their ability to restock every offseason. When you win as much as they do, teams are going to poach players hoping to replicate that success. It is an every-year occurrence and this year was no different as multiple players departed Kansas City.
Seven starters and key rotation players have signed elsewhere in free agency and another four could be out the door soon. In the trenches, on both sides of the ball, is where the Chiefs could look most different in 2023.
Starting tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie both left, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Commanders. Jawaan Taylor was signed away from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but one more tackle is needed. Kansas City could have two or three new faces along the offensive line while the defensive line will see at least that much turnover.
Frank Clark was released as a cap casualty and Carlos Dunlap remains a free agent. Khalen Saunders signed with the New Orleans Saints, leaving some big shoes to fill on the defensive front.
George Karlaftis will take on a larger role in Year 2, but the team will need more than him and Chris Jones, who is entering the final season of his contract. According to a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network, keep an eye on Jadeveon Clowney heading to the Chiefs.
“The market for Jadeveon Clowney has been slow, but there are plenty of teams interested. One to watch would be the Chiefs, who want to add more edge rushing.”
Clowney is coming off of a tough season with the Cleveland Browns in which he registered only 2.0 sacks in 12 games. He didn’t produce much, picking up only four tackles for loss and four quarterback hits as well.
But, he is only one year removed from a 9.0 sack, 11 tackles for loss and 19 quarterback hits this campaign. Clowney can rush the passer, it just doesn’t always translate on the field. Alternating good and bad pass-rushing seasons has been a trend for him, so maybe 2023 will be a season he gets back on track.
At the very least, even if Clowney isn’t racking up sacks, you can count on him to set the edge in the run game. He is a stout run defender, something you don’t always get from high-end pass rushers. In 2022, Kansas City was middle of the road in yards per carry allowed at 4.4, so Clowney will at least improve them in that area should he sign with the Chiefs.
