2020 Chiefs team offers remarkable continuity to Super Bowl winner

The long-term contract signed by defensive tackle Chris Jones took care of the last big question on the list for the Kansas City Chiefs heading to training camp. Battles for certain roles will take place, but we mostly know what the starting lineups will look like at this point.

Both the Chiefs offense and defense will return 10 of the 11 starters in Super Bowl LIV. The four phases of the special teams unit will return nine of the game’s 11 starting points for the title. Perhaps the most unprecedented part of the team’s continuity is the coaching staff. Most of the championship winning teams do not have all the coordinators and position coaches on both sides of the ball coming back for next season.

The “Run it Back” tour has been the theme of the entire offseason, so now that the list is clearer, let’s take a look at the continuity in each position and evaluate how vacant snapshots can be filled:

(Note: Instant percentages are based on regular season totals and are derived from Professional soccer reference.)

Quarterbacks

100% of 2019 snapshots are making a comeback

Photo by Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images

It looked like the Chiefs were moving out of last year’s backup quarterback Matt Moore this offseason, but after not signing free agency, he was greeted again with a one-year contract last week. His three action games last season were crucial to maintaining the playoff position and eventually earning the top spot in the AFC.

His return should give the team and fans confidence that the offense can work at a higher-than-average level if Mahomes has to mess around again. Another substitute quarterback who didn’t have Moore’s experience on the plan last year may not attract as much optimism in that setting.

Runners

69% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Vacant photos of running back LeSean McCoy and Spencer Ware are unlikely to be lost in 2020. Ware replaced by a few games before injury ended his season, and McCoy saw just one hit in the last five games of the championship race.

His touches will be taken up by rookie running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Not only will he fill in the vacant photos, but he’ll probably take most of them by the end of 2020. Even if the touches are evenly split, the only position lacking continuity may also have seen improvement in the offseason.

Wide receivers

99% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Robin Alam / Icon Sportswire photo via Getty Images

Most have probably already forgotten the 20 snapshots that former Chiefs wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas took in 2019. They were the only catcher snapshots taken by a player who is not yet listed. The group is young, continues to improve, and continues to build confidence with the best NFL quarterback. There are no newcomers with whom Mahomes has to build a chemistry on the field during this virtual offseason.

That ongoing relationship materializes on the soccer field in multiple ways. Head coach Andy Reid can add more plays and concepts, knowing that all wide receivers have been in his system for at least a year. Familiarity with Mahomes is useful when a play breaks down and becomes a drill.

No matter who lines up in 2020, there is reason to believe that Mahomes will trust them.

Tight ends

72% of 2019 snapshots are returning

In 2019, former Chiefs tight end Blake Bell ranked second in tight end and did his job for the most part, but offered little upward reception. In fact, he had the worst drop rate of any NFL tight end that saw more than 10 goals, according to Pro Football Focus.

The most likely candidate to fill the vacancy behind tight end star Travis Kelce is tight end Deon Yelder. He only saw five targets in 2019, but he seems to give the offense a more legitimate receiving threat there than Bell. He will compete with low season signing Ricky Seals-Jones and 2019 practice squad member Nick Keizer.

Offensive linemen

85% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Photo by Peter G. Aiken / Getty Images

It’s hard to imagine ex-Chiefs offensive lineman Cam Erving being missed. He makes up the majority of the vacant lineman snapshots of the regular season. His play at left tackle was a big reason for his losing streak in early 2019.

The only starting position that appears to have rotation is the left guard. Former Chiefs lineman Stefan Wisniewski held that spot from week 15 through the Super Bowl, but lineman Andrew Wylie initially held that spot from week 1 until an injury in week 14. However, Wylie will have to get it back; The competition will come from third-year lineman Martinas Rankin, rookie Lucas Niang, veteran Mike Remmers, among others.

Defensive linemen

85% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Photo by David Eulitt / Getty Images

Along with the offensive line and wide receivers, the continuity of this group may be the most important of all positions. Losses of defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and defensive tackle Xavier Williams hurt depth, but the further development of the talented youngsters in this position will offset those outings.

If defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon take another step in their progression, this unit could be one of the most productive in the league. For yet another year, learning from defensive line coach Brendan Daly and understanding defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme will only help his chances.

Supporters

82% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Players who return to this group may not generate enthusiasm. It was painfully obvious that the linebacker position was the weak point in the Chiefs’ defense in 2019. They parted ways with linebackers Darron Lee and Reggie Ragland this offseason before selecting Willie Gay Jr. in the second round of the NBA draft. NFL.

Fans should expect Gay Jr. to be trusted to play a good chunk of linebacker snapshots. The unit desperately needed more athleticism and speed last season, and that’s exactly what the rookie will bring. Like the runner, the lack of continuity in this group may have improved the position as a whole.

Defensive backs

87% of 2019 snapshots are returning

Photo by Jamie Squire / Getty Images

For full transparency, you couldn’t split snap counts into cornerbacks and securities because all of Kendall Fuller’s defensive snapshots in 2019 are counted at cornerback, even though he played safer in late 2019.

Despite Fuller’s leaving this offseason, the Chiefs’ starting defensive high school basically stayed the same. Second-year safety Juan Thornhill will recover from the LCA tear he suffered in Week 17. The snapshots to be recovered are likely to fall on the shoulders of second-year cornerback Rashad Fenton. He impressed in limited playing time last season, and could be asked to play a role similar to the one Fuller played in 2019.