The Kansas City Chiefs, based on the high standards they have set, are struggling a bit on the offensive side of the ball this season. While most teams around the NFL would love to be top-10 across the board offensively, if things stay the same for Kansas City, this will be their least effective offense in years.
Currently ranked ninth in points scored, that would be the lowest of the Patrick Mahomes era and the worst finish since 2016 when they were 13th. It would be tied for the third lowest in the Andy Reid era in Kansas City as well.
In seventh place in yardage gained, that would also be the lowest of the Mahomes era and the worst mark since 2016. In Reid’s first four seasons with the Chiefs, his offense never finished above 20th in yardage.
There are a few factors that have led to the Chiefs underperforming based on what we have become accustomed to. Leaning more heavily into the run game led by Isiah Pacheo is certainly part of the reason as he is 12th in the league in rushing attempts and 13th in yardage.
Kansas City is also lacking in the wide receiver department. They have never truly replaced what Tyreek Hill brought to the table, but their issues have worsened this season without JuJu Smith-Schuster being there to help replace him.
Rookie Rashee Rice currently leads wide receivers on the team with 17 receptions through five games. Justin Watson leads the way with 219 yards, three shy of the team leader, tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce dealing with two lower body injuries through the first five weeks hasn’t helped, either.
Finding some help at wide receiver has been something the Chiefs have been doing for months. Could they find some relief in a familiar face? Mecole Hardman, who signed with the New York Jets in free agency, is on the trade block as the team hasn’t been able to make use of his unique skill set.
That is something the Chiefs have already accomplished, as he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career in Kansas City. They have been suggested as a trade partner for the Jets and it would be hard to argue against that.
Hardman, when healthy, was carving out a significant role in the offense last season as a red zone threat. His versatility and athleticism haven’t been easy to replace as Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney aren’t having the kind of impact the team was hoping for.
Bringing in someone such as Hardman, who is familiar with the offense and players on the team, would be a shrewd move by the front office. As long as there are no hard feelings about how things played out in the offseason, the Chiefs are a perfect landing spot for him.
