Kickoff Primer: An instant guide to the 2016 Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD
NFC Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | LA | SF | SEA
Kansas City Chiefs
| 2015 Record | 2015 Finish |
|---|---|
| 11-5 | Lost in Divisional Round |
Coaching staff
Head coach: Andy Reid
Offensive coordinator: Brad Childress
Defensive coordinator: Bob Sutton
Key additions
- RT Mitchell Schwartz
- QB Nick Foles
- DL Chris Jones (2nd round)
- CB KeiVarae Russell (3rd round)
- LB Sam Barrington
- KR/WR Tyreek Hill (5th round)
Key Departures
- CB Sean Smith
- OG Jeff Allen
- QB Chase Daniel
- CB Jamell Fleming
- OT Donald Stephenson
- DB Tyvon Branch
- WR Frankie Hammond
- QB Aaron Murray
Preseason Power Ranking - No. 10
Jamaal Charles is still recovering from a torn ACL, but the Chiefs have proven they can be one of the NFL's most frightening teams without him, as evidenced by their 11-game winning streak last season. More ...
Projected Starting Lineup
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| WR | Jeremy Maclin |
| WR | Albert Wilson |
| WR | Chris Conley |
| LT | Eric Fisher |
| LG | Parker Ehinger |
| C | Mitch Morse |
| RG | Laurent Duvernay-Tardif |
| RT | Mitchell Schwartz |
| TE | Travis Kelce |
| QB | Alex Smith |
| RB | Jamaal Charles |
| Position | Starter |
|---|---|
| DE | Jaye Howard |
| DT | Dontari Poe |
| DE | Allen Bailey |
| OLB | Dee Ford* |
| ILB | Derrick Johnson |
| ILB | Josh Mauga |
| OLB | Tamba Hali |
| CB | Marcus Peters |
| SS | Ron Parker |
| FS | Eric Berry |
| CB | Phillip Gaines |
*Ford replaces Justin Houston, who's out for an undetermined length of time with an ACL tear.
Questions to Answer
- Can Alex Smith take the team to the next level and compete for a championship?
- How much does Jamaal Charles have left?
- When will Justin Houston return?
Best-case Scenario
If Berry signs before the season starts, Houston gets back in the lineup after the Week 5 bye, and Charles starts 16 games for the first time in his career, there's no reason this team can't win their division. Even if one of those scenarios doesn't go the Chiefs' way, consistent outputs from Maclin, Kelce, and the perennially underrated Smith could help them repeat last year's 11-5 record and make a run to the AFC Championship Game.
Worst-case Scenario
With the defending Super Bowl champs in their division, along with the rising Raiders and Chargers, the Chiefs are at risk of getting lost in the AFC West. If Houston's injury lingers and Berry's contract isn't settled, the team could be without their top two defenders. There are also concerns on offense, as they're short on bona fide weapons, and Kelce, Charles, and Maclin all have a history of knee issues. Another major injury to any one of the three would be devastating. If things don't go Kansas City's way, a spot at the division's bottom, and a 5-11 record, could await.