What I REID Into It

February 13, 2021

“A season like no other” will be a great way to describe the 2020 NFL season to future fans when looking back at what happened during a year dominated with pandemic concerns. Away from dealing with COVID-19 precautions and health department mandates the Kansas City Chiefs really did have a season like no other.

The season began on a Thursday night in September with a will they or won’t they play game against Houston. The Chiefs and Texans did in fact play the game as originally scheduled on Sept. 10 to kickoff the new NFL season. Then it was off to LA to play in an empty stadium and beat a division rival in the Chargers. When the Chiefs did finally play a normal Sunday at noon game they lost at home to the Las Vegas Raiders. That was followed by a Thursday night game at Buffalo that became a Sunday contest only to then finally be played on a Monday night. Chiefs players/coaches remained ready to play a game when and where with little notice.

Despite the obstacles placed in front of the defending Super Bowl Champions the Chiefs persevered and continued to achieve great success. By the time the regular season ended on Jan., 3 the Chiefs had many record breaking accomplishments to remember the 2020 season by. A franchise best 14-2 regular season record was earned with many starters playing in only 15 games. A perfect road record of 8-0 is another point of success as the team’s first undefeated road mark since going 6-0 back in 1966. That was followed by a post-season were the Chiefs, the AFC’s top-seeded team, was able to accomplish their goal of repeating as AFC champions and running it back to the Super Bowl.

Now that the 2020 season has come to an end the team can take a well-earned breather before developing a game plan and forming a roster to tackle the challenges the 2021 season will bring. When the Chiefs coaches, personnel staff and scouts get together to think about what’s needed for another successful year they will face a few hard decisions.

The Chiefs front office will like the fact familiar faces on defense such as S Tyrann Mathieu, DE Frank Clark and DT Chris Jones are all under contract. On offense TE Travis Kelce, WR Tyreek Hill and QB Patrick Mahomes are all under contract helping form a solid nucleus for team success. Another reason to smile is the performance from the team’s rookies this season from RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Willie Gay, Jr. to L’Jarius Sneed. Getting so much production from players on their rookie contracts is a big element to a winning team.

Chiefs concerns will be focused on starting offensive line, back up wide receivers and linebackers. Chiefs spent more than half the season without OT Mitchell Schwartz and OT Eric Fisher is expected to miss start of 2021 due to injury. Thankfully the team will see the return of OG Lucas Niang and OL Laurance Duvernay-Tardif who both opted out of the 2020 season.

Chiefs fans have many memories to hold onto from the 2020 season and can now watch the off season unfold as the team strives to make 2021 a more memorable one with a fantastic finish. That’s What I REID Into It for the off-season.