September 3, 2033

By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com

The Kansas City Chiefs have completed training camp activities, finished playing three pre-season games and have set their 53 player roster they wish to use to compete with in the 2022 season. Time now to look ahead to the season opener at Arizona and what else lies ahead for a team playing to return to Arizona on February 12, 2023 for Super Bowl 57.

Numbers are a very important part of pro football and Chiefs fans everywhere will soon be keeping track of point totals and most yards gained. In addition to important numbers on the field expect fans to pay attention to numbers away from the game. The 2022 season will no doubt be another memorable one for the Chiefs franchise. During the year expect to hear about the 60th season of Chiefs football in Kansas City. The Chiefs first season in Kansas City was in 1963 when they went 5-7-2.

Chiefs fans will also be hearing about the 50th anniversary of the Chiefs playing at Arrowhead Stadium. Following two construction strikes and other delays the Chiefs finally took the field on Aug. 12, 1972 opening up the fourth largest stadium in the National Football League. That year the Chiefs finished 8-6.

The 2022 season will see Andy Reid begin his 10th year as head coach of the Chiefs guiding the team’s fortunes. Reid was hired in his current role on Jan. 7, 2013. The Chiefs finished 11-5 that season.

The time has come for a new season and more memories to be made. The first thing Chiefs fans will get used to is who is no longer a part of the Chiefs Kingdom. No longer around is WR Tyreek Hill, LB Anthony Hitchens and DB Tyrann Mathieu. Those are three key veteran players who will play elsewhere this year as the Chiefs will depend on younger players to perform just as well if not better than them.

Stepping up for the Chiefs to achieve some important numbers this season will be veteran Safety Justin Reid and rookie CB Trent McDuffie. At Linebacker Nick Bolton in his second year and Willie Gay, Jr. in his third season will lead the way. Chiefs expect good things from their wide receivers group. The group is led by veterans JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdez-Scantling and rookie Skyy Moore.

What will the Chiefs record be at the end of this memorable season? The Chiefs will take that first step to find out next week with a road trip to sunny Glendale, Arizona. Gear up for a bumpy ride at times during the 17 game regular season but a fun ride overall. That’s What I REID Into It for this week.