KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs open 2023 training camp on July 23 at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Here’s a closer look at some storylines:
Biggest question: Can the Chiefs again be among the league leaders in sacks?
The Chiefs finished a surprising second in the NFL last year with 55 sacks, nearly matching their total from the previous two seasons combined. Chris Jones, who led the team with 15.5 sacks, is back. Edge rushers George Karlaftis and Mike Danna, who combined for 11 sacks, will also return. But three of their top six pass-rushers, including ends Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, are gone.
In their place the Chiefs signed free agent Charles Omenihu and drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah in the first round, but both players are unproven. Omenihu looms as a large piece of the puzzle. He will start on the edge but the Chiefs plan to move him inside alongside Jones on passing downs.
The player with the most to prove: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
Edwards-Helaire hasn’t produced like the first-round draft pick he was in 2020. Each of his three seasons have been interrupted by injuries and last year, he lost his spot as the regular featured back to seventh-round draft pick, Isiah Pacheco, even before getting hurt. The Chiefs declined the fifth-year option on his contract, raising the probability that this is his last season in Kansas City.
But it’s not too late for him to have an impact, even though the Chiefs have Pacheco and veteran Jerick McKinnon at running back. If he can stay healthy, Edwards-Helaire has a chance to be a contributor and earn a contract for 2024 -- with another team, if not the Chiefs.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: After losing JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman Jr., the Chiefs are looking for wide receivers to take a step forward
They have no shortage of candidates, most notably Kadarius Toney, who the Chiefs hope can be their No. 1 wide receiver. But their depth chart is shy on proven contributors. Toney has 55 catches in two NFL seasons. Marquez Valdes-Scantling caught 42 passes with two touchdowns last year in his debut season with the Chiefs. The best season ever turned in by any current Chiefs receiver is the 57 catches by Richie James with the New York Giants last season.
Even if Toney has a big season, the Chiefs are going to need contributions from Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, rookie Rashee Rice and perhaps James and others. Camp will go a long way toward determining which players get the most chances.
Training camp is a success if ... the Chiefs can avoid significant injuries
The Chiefs look like they’re primed for another Super Bowl run but need players like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Jones to be along for most, if not all, of the ride. The Chiefs have some thin spots on their depth chart, most notably their offensive and defensive lines.
They look solid with their starting offensive linemen after adding tackles Jawaan Taylor and Donovan Smith to a group that includes center Creed Humphrey and guards Joe Thuney and Trey Smith. But an injury could ruin their plans. Similarly, the Chiefs have enough on their defensive line for a productive rotation, but would suffer if injuries strike.
Most impactful offseason addition: Charles Omenihu, DE
The Chiefs have no shortage of candidates, including Taylor and Smith on the offensive line, and rookies in Anudike-Uzomah and Rice. But it’s good news if it’s Omenihu. He has just 11.5 sacks in four NFL seasons, including 4.5 with the San Francisco 49ers last season. The Chiefs believe he’s capable of making a big leap in that category and their defense is likely to have a big season if he does. Omenihu will play on the edge in many of the Chiefs’ defensive packages, but they plan to move him to the interior alongside Jones on passing downs.