Chiefs News & Rumors: Patrick Mahomes No. 1, Kelce injury; Chris Jones speaks
The Kansas City Chiefs are on the brink of a dynasty and it all centers around Patrick Mahomes.
Entering his seventh season in the NFL, the Chiefs quarterback has just about done it all and there is more to come. With two Super Bowl victories under his belt, Mahomes and his Chiefs kick off the 2023 NFL season against the Detroit Lions Thursday night with some questions.
One intriguing question that we’ll touch on later is the health of Travis Kelce, the ever-dependable target for Mahomes. The other question is who else will step up in the Chiefs offense? Who will emerge as one of the top targets? Does it matter with Patrick Mahomes under center? Has he reached a Tom Brady-like level where he can turn any player into a productive playmaker?
Chiefs Kingdom: Who will Patrick Mahomes connect with in 2023
That will be a challenge this season for the No. 1 ranked QB in the Week 1 NFL QB Index.
NFL.com writer Nick Shock writes:
"“Let’s keep it simple here: NFL MVP, Super Bowl LVII MVP, Super Bowl LVII champion, first-team All-Pro, Pro Bowler, leader in NFL passing yards and passing touchdowns. Mahomes ended the debate over the NFL’s best QB with his sprint to his second Lombardi Trophy. He’s a leading face of the NFL now and for the foreseeable future. And after a banner year in which he out-dueled his greatest competition for MVP in one of the best Super Bowls in recent memory — in the first season following the departure of Tyreek Hill — there’s no questioning his standing.”"
Last season it was players like JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling who stepped up for Mahomes. This season, he will be depending on Kadrious Toney, Skyy Moore and Valdes-Scantling to step up in the passing game, especially Week 1 if the team is without Kelce.
NFL injury update: Travis Kelce questionable in Chiefs vs Lions Week 1 matchup
Speaking of Kelce, Patrick Mahomes could be without his partner in crime in the Week 1 battle with the Lions.
Kelce, who hyperextended his knee during Tuesday’s practice, is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game. While that could be short-term bad news for the Chiefs, the good news is the team believes Kelce’s ACL is intact. With how important of a weapon he is for Mahomes in the Chiefs’ offense, the team will obviously take precaution with his availability.
According to his brother, Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, “He’s got some swelling going on,” but the knee is fine overall. The next step is to see how bruised the bone is and that may actually determine if Kelce plays.
Want your voice heard? Join the NFL Mocks team!
In the meantime, the reigning Super Bowl champs will need someone to step up in the offense, particularly from the wide receiver position. The two tight ends behind Kelce, Noah Gray and Blake Bell, will also need to contribute in the passing game. With Mahomes behind center, it wouldn’t be surprising if one of them ends up making a play or two in Thursday night’s game vs Detroit.
NFL rumors: Chris Jones just wants his money
The Chiefs may need to out outscore teams until they get one of their best defenders back.
Chris Jones, who is entering the final year of his contract, has been holding out in hopes of getting a contract extension that will make him one of the highest paid defensive tackles in the NFL. That hold out will lead him to missing Thursday night’s game and beyond if the two sides can’t work something out.
While Jones has expressed his desire to be a “Chief for life”, there have been some trade rumblings which is always the case when a star and their current team come to a contract standstill. Obviously, its business for Jones, who just wants his money.
"“It’s just like when you’re at a job, and you ask for an extension, right, and you ask for a raise, right? You’re not letting anyone down,” Jones told the media, via NFL.com. “Who are you letting down for asking your boss for a raise, right? So, when you take the personal feelings out of it, all I’m doing is asking for a raise.”"
Next. Browns news & rumors: Deshaun Watson re-emergence in 2023; Evans on the radar?. dark
Will the Chiefs give him that raise is the million-dollar question entering Week 1. Depending on how the defensive line looks against a high-octane Lions’ rush attack, Kansas City may have to work something out immediately.