Three reasons to be optimistic about the Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Three reasons to be optimistic about the Kansas City Chiefs

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 2/20/23

After winning its second Super Bowl in four seasons, Kansas City resides in football paradise. More championships could be in the Chiefs' future because their elite core is returning, just one reason Kansas City can feel highly optimistic heading into 2023.

1. Patrick Mahomes is on a Hall of Fame track

Only 27, Mahomes has a resume all QBs envy. Over the past five seasons, he has won two Super Bowls, earned two league MVPs and made five Pro Bowls. When Tom Brady was 27, he had fewer MVPs and Pro Bowls than Mahomes, who's on a track to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A look at how Patrick Mahomes' career stacks up against Tom Brady's so far

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— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 18, 2023

The skyrocketing trajectory will likely continue after a dominant 2022 season, punctuated by his second MVP. He led the NFL in passing TDs (41), passing yards (5,250) and QBR (77.6) despite Kansas City trading star wideout Tyreek Hill to Miami in the offseason.

2. Andy Reid is returning

Although there was some speculation Reid would retire, the 64-year-old HC is returning for the 2023 season, which is monumental for Kansas City. Since Reid became HC in 2013, the Chiefs have had the most wins of any NFL team (117).

Per NFL.com, he's the only HC in league history with 10 or more playoff wins for multiple organizations, and he's guided Kansas City to five straight conference championship appearances since 2018 and nine playoff appearances overall.

Reid is an offensive mastermind. Per Pro Football Reference, Kansas City has ranked top 10 in scoring offense during eight of Reid's 10 seasons in Kansas City.

3. Their 2022 roster will remain intact

Free agency depletes some Super Bowl teams, but that will be different for Kansas City this offseason. Per Over The Cap, crucial pieces are under contract, including DT Chris Jones, who tied for the fourth-most sacks in the league (15.5), and TE Travis Kelce, who was second in the league in receiving TDs (12).

In 2022, the Chiefs had promising rookies emerge, including RB Isiah Pacheco. The seventh-round pick out of Rutgers was second in rushing yards (197) during the postseason, behind only San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey. In Kansas City's Super Bowl LVII win, he had 76 yards rushing on 15 attempts.

Mahomes is under contract through 2031, meaning the Chiefs are just getting started.

Dynasty, anyone?

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