Kansas City Chiefs 2023-24 Season Guidebook

While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months.  However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year.

Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here.
 
In today's article, I'll be discussing the Kansas City Chiefs.

I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season.  To check out an article for another team, click the link below:
https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl

2022 Season Recap

It was nearly a flawless season for the Chiefs in 2022, who ended up winning their 2nd Super Bowl in the last four years.  With a 14-3 regular season record, they won the AFC West for an incredible 7th straight season.  They had a tumultuous ride in the postseason that included an injured Patrick Mahomes, some controversial officiating, and questionable field conditions in the Super Bowl, but Kansas City deserved everything that came to them in 2022.
 
The Chiefs had the best scoring offense in the league behind the best quarterback and passing attack.  The defense was good, especially against the run.  But the truth is that there’s not a lot of pressure on the defensive unit when the offense is so powerful.
 
Significant Roster Moves

It’s hard to keep a Super Bowl winning team completely together, and the Chiefs certainly experienced some loss in the offseason.  Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie will be gone from the offensive line, along with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman at receiver.  Frank Clark and Juan Thornhill are the two biggest stars on defense who left for other teams.
 
Tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor were added to bookend the offensive line, while Charles Omenihu and Drue Tranquill will be immediate starters at defensive end and outside linebacker, respectively.  Richie James adds more depth at receiver and Blaine Gabbert will serve as Mahomes’ backup after Chad Henne retired.
 
2023 Draft Class

The Chiefs had one draft pick in each round for seven picks total.  Of those seven, five were defensive players – three defensive linemen and two cornerbacks.  The two guys who will likely make the biggest immediate impact are their top two picks: defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah and receiver Rashee Rice.
 
Season Schedule

The Chiefs will take on the AFC East and the NFC North in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games.  Their other three opponents are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals.  With an opponent prior season win percentage of .512, Kansas City has the 18th hardest schedule in the NFL.

Kansas City’s primetime games include two Thursday night games versus Detroit and Denver, two Sunday night games at the New York Jets and Green Bay, and two Monday night games versus Philadelphia and at New England.  They also play the Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany in Week 9.
 
Depth Charts

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

The Chiefs return 17 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year. With an improved offensive line, they’ve shown that they can succeed with any assortment of pass catchers alongside Travis Kelce at tight end.  Kansas City will surely be one of the most common picks for AFC champions by season end.
 
Coaching Staff

Andy Reid returns for his 11th season as head coach of the Chiefs.  Two of his three coordinators return from last season: Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (5th season) and Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub (11th season).  Matt Nagy was promoted to Offensive Coordinator in the offseason after returning to Kansas City to serve as Quarterbacks Coach following four years as Head Coach of the Bears.  He replaces long-time O.C. Eric Bienemy, who decided to join the Washington Commanders’ staff after Kansas City’s Super Bowl win last season.
 
Betting Odds

Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Kansas City at 11.5 games.  As of right now, the Chiefs are heavy favorites to win the AFC West and are also favored to win the AFC as a whole.  At +600 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are also slight favorites to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
 
Bucket Squad Predictions

Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Chiefs to finish 13-4 and win the AFC West and AFC as a whole.  They’ll be strong contenders to repeat as Super Bowl champs in 2023.

What do you think?  Will Kansas City be better or worse than I'm projecting?  What offseason moves made by the Chiefs surprised you the most?  Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them.

Written by Nick Swatson