Overcoming accidents was part of the Chiefs’ journey in 2024

Every season has its storylines. Undoubtedly, the primary storyline for the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs this season was their quest to finish the three-peat, making historical past as the primary staff to take action within the Tremendous Bowl period. Finishing that job was by no means going to be straightforward.

Complicating issues for the Chiefs this season was the barrage of great accidents the staff suffered en path to their fifth Tremendous Bowl look in six seasons. Maybe greater than every other season throughout the Chiefs’ dynasty, the staff needed to work by main accidents that threatened to derail their postseason hopes.

Earlier than flipping the web page to Tremendous Bowl preparations for the Philadelphia Eagles, let’s take a second to replicate on how the Chiefs overcame the adversity they confronted this season.

Extensive receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice

Picture by Todd Kirkland/Getty Photographs

The preseason couldn’t have gotten off to a worse begin for the Chiefs. On the very first play from scrimmage, Brown was injured after a catch and sort out wherein he landed straight on his shoulder. The sort out resulted in a sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Initially thought-about to be a short-term damage just like the damage to former Chief broad receiver Tyreek Hill, the damage in the end resulted in Brown lacking nearly all of the common season.

He returned in Week 16 after surgical procedure in September to restore and stabilize the dislocated joint. Since coming back from damage, he’s offered a notable increase to the offense and a much-needed deep menace for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Brown was focused seven instances within the AFC Championship, and he figures to be an enormous piece of the offensive puzzle within the Tremendous Bowl.

4 weeks into the common season, the Chiefs misplaced one other large offensive weapon when Rice was injured through pleasant hearth after an interception thrown by Mahomes. After some hypothesis and uncertainty concerning the character and extent of his damage, it was ultimately deemed long-term, and he was positioned on the Reserve/Injured checklist. Rice was on monitor to have a breakout season, as he had emerged because the No. 1 weapon for Mahomes within the early weeks of the season.

The accidents suffered by the highest two broad receivers on the depth chart compelled Mahomes to work with a patchwork group of receivers for the third consecutive season. It additionally necessitated the staff to deliver again broad receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and commerce for broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Smith-Schuster was instrumental within the AFC Championship with two 30-plus yard receptions. Each gamers, together with Brown, can be found for the Tremendous Bowl.

Operating again Isiah Pacheco

The early season attrition continued in Week 2 when operating again Isiah Pacheco suffered a damaged fibula. Pacheco missed 10 weeks following the damage earlier than returning in late November.

To fill the void left by Pacheco, the staff introduced again former Chiefs operating again Kareem Hunt. This was a shocking transfer by the staff due to how Hunt’s first tenure with the Chiefs ended.

The place would this staff be with out the providers of Kareem Hunt? Probably not making ready for the Tremendous Bowl.

Picture by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Photographs

Hunt completed the 2024 season with 200 speeding makes an attempt for 728 yards and 7 touchdowns — extra yards than he had as a complementary again with the Cleveland Browns in every of the earlier three seasons.

Though Pacheco has not seemed as explosive since coming back from damage, he and Hunt now type a two-headed operating again tandem that will probably be relied upon towards the Eagles.

Cornerback Jaylen Watson

Essentially the most important loss for the Chiefs’ protection within the 2024 season was the lack of Watson in Week 7 attributable to a fractured fibula and tibia. The move protection took a notable dip in manufacturing and effectivity following the lack of Watson. Earlier than the damage, he had solidified himself as cornerback quantity two behind Trent McDuffie.

Based mostly on the damage, this definitely had the potential to be season-ending. Credit score is because of the Chiefs’ athletic coaching employees and Watson’s work ethic; he returned for the postseason. Watson’s utilization elevated from the Divisional spherical (58% of snaps) to the AFC Championship (71% of snaps), though he has not began in both postseason matchup.

With Watson’s return, the Chiefs have a completely wholesome defensive secondary ready to face the dynamic Eagles’ offense.

Kicker Harrison Butker

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs

The veteran kicker underwent surgical procedure for a torn meniscus in November and proceeded to overlook a month following the surgical procedure. In his stead, the Chiefs employed two kickers, Spencer Shrader and former Chief Matthew Wright. In so doing, the Chiefs grew to become the one staff in NFL historical past to have three totally different kickers kick a game-winning area aim in the identical season.

Butker has been clutch for the Chiefs of their run, and he has gone 4 for 4 within the postseason on area targets this season.

Defensive linemen Charles Omenihu, Chris Jones and Mike Danna

The Chiefs weathered nearly all of the season with out Omenihu, who tore his ACL within the 2023 AFC Championship. He returned in Week 13, serving to to offer one other regular move rusher. Each Jones and Danna missed time in 2024 attributable to a calf pressure. The unit’s move rush took a dip from their 2023 numbers however did sufficient to win video games and make the play when it mattered.

Now: End the job

Regardless of all of the notable accidents all through the 2024 common season, the Chiefs entered the postseason at close to full well being. That is partly attributable to their administration of the schedule on the finish of the season. They made many roster strikes throughout the season to re-fortify the roster, together with a “reunion tour” of types, bringing again many former gamers.

The Chiefs have traveled farther than every other staff in NFL historical past, searching for their third consecutive Tremendous Bowl title and setting a franchise report for wins. It’s been a making an attempt journey up to now. Nonetheless, soccer immortality now lies at their fingertips, they usually have an opportunity to cement themselves as the best soccer dynasty of all time.