KC Chiefs: Reasons to be excited for 2019 season
By Mike Norris
Patrick Mahomes was the well-deserved runaway MVP this past year, but he isn’t the only talented player on the Chiefs’ roster. His offensive weapons helped to set a franchise record in points scored, and the ones leading the way will be back in 2019.
The second-year quarterback spread the love during the season, connecting on scores through the air with 12 different pass catchers. Only four players had a reception during the season without a touchdown, and only back up running back Spencer Ware (20) had more than two catches out of that group.
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill led the way with a career-high 12 touchdown grabs, en route to an All-Pro season that also included 87 receptions and 1,479 yards.
Tight end Travis Kelce set career highs in receptions (103), receiving yards (1,336) and receiving touchdowns (10), earning All-Pro honors as well. Five players in addition to Ware had at least 20 receptions — Sammy Watkins (40), Chris Conley (32), Kareem Hunt (26), Damien Williams (23) and Demarcus Robinson (22) — and combined for 21 scores.
Even fifth-year back up tight end Demetrius Harris, who had just 12 receptions, set a career high with three touchdowns.
All of that was through the air.
On the ground the Chiefs took a blow when Hunt was kicked off the team after 11 games for pushing and kicking a woman at a Cleveland hotel, but Williams stepped right in. The 26-year-old former Miami Dolphin registered 47 of his 50 carries and 255 of his 256 yards filling in for Hunt.
He averaged 5.12 yards per carry and totaled six touchdowns in the regular season. He also rushed for 159 yards and scored four touchdowns in two playoff games.
In other words, Mahomes isn’t going to be alone next year making plays for the Chiefs. He’s going to have help, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.
Ware, Conley and Harris are free agents, but the biggest play makers — Hill, Kelce, Watkins and Williams — are all under contract next season. They are probably the biggest reasons Mahomes might be grinning ear to ear every time you see him on camera.