For the second season in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs' offense isn't the elite unit that it was in previous years.
In 2023 the wide receiver corps was the biggest culprit, leading the NFL in drops. Now in 2024, most of the struggles are coming from within the offensive line. Per Cody Tapp of 96.5 The Fan, the Chiefs have surrendered 27 sacks through 11 games, which is already the second most times quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been sacked in a single season.
Obviously Mahomes will take more sacks than he ever has by season's end, by a wide margin. The poor pass blocking by the Chiefs' offensive line has had an impact on Mahomes having the worst statical season of his career. He has already thrown 11 interceptions, putting him within three of his career high of 14.
Left tackle has been the biggest weakness for Kansas City's offensive line. Starter Wanya Morris has been inconsistent, which in some cases is putting it nicely. Rookie backup Kingsley Suamataia has been a disaster, proving that he's not ready to play at the NFL level yet. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor hasn't been great either, tied for the fifth most penalties by an offensive lineman in the NFL.
It's one thing to have to overcome dropped passes as the Chiefs had to do last year. You can run the ball more often and call high percentage safe passing plays. Overcoming a struggling offensive line, however, is a bigger challenge. It hurts both the passing and running game, and all the hits Mahomes is taking makes him vulnerable to getting injured.
There is still a ray of hope for the Chiefs' offensive line in newly acquired left tackle DJ Humphries. Coming off a torn ACL that he suffered last December, Humphries is a nine-year veteran who has 98 career starts and a 2021 Pro Bowl nod. He has been medically cleared and could take over as the starting left tackle as soon as he has enough of a grasp on the playbook.
If Humphries can get at least mostly back to form, it will make a world of difference for Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense.
