KC Chiefs: AFC West might look very different at quarterback position
The KC Chiefs have won the AFC West the past four seasons and very well could dominate it for another decade. In 2020, the division will look quite different, especially at the quarterback position.
The Kansas City Chiefs had the best quarterback in the division in 2019 and it looks like that will be the case for years to come, as Patrick Mahomes is just getting started. Not only are the Chargers for sure losing their quarterback, but it’s possible the Raiders could be making a change at the position as well.
The Chargers announced on Monday afternoon that they were moving on from Philip Rivers, marking the end of a 15 year career with the organization. This means that for the first time since 2005, the Chargers will have someone new taking snaps for them.
Tyrod Taylor was the back-up last year, so he’s an option to have as their starter this year, but he’s definitely not the future.
“In anything you do, it’s the people you do it with that make it special. There are so many relationships and memories with coaches, support staff and teammates that will last forever, and for that I am so thankful."
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) February 10, 2020
Philip Rivers to Enter Free Agency » https://t.co/njeTsCbi1D pic.twitter.com/bCKXKTRePh
Another option for the Chargers is to bring in another veteran on the free agent market. I wrote the other day how Tom Brady had been linked to the Chargers, but it wouldn’t make a ton of sense to part ways with a 38 year old quarterback only to sign one who will turn 42 years old prior to the 2020 season kicking off.
No matter who the Chargers sign, they’ll still probably draft a quarterback in the first round. Justin Herbert of Oregon would seem the likeliest fit given where LA is picking and what kind of offense they run.
With a new quarterback in Los Angeles, that should make the AFC West even easier for the Chiefs to win, but what about the other two teams?
Well – The Raiders are heading to a new city and need to draw some interest in their new location. They could also look to bring in a new quarterback, as Derek Carr hasn’t lived up to the expectations after his impressive 2016 season and won’t really excite that fan base.
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Carr has been horrible against the Chiefs during his time in the league, going an abysmal 2-10 against them in his six years as a pro. He’s 0-6 at Arrowhead Stadium and if that isn’t bad enough already, he’s not only winless at Arrowhead, but he’s been atrocious in all six of those losses.
Considering the Chiefs are the team to beat in the division, the Raiders would be wise to move on from Carr and bring someone in who could actually beat them. Enter Tom Brady, who has been linked to the Raiders too, tying him to two teams in the AFC West.
Finally, we have the Broncos, who looked pathetic to start the season, but finished on a high note. The fans appear to be pretty high on Drew Lock, but what we saw from him in 2019 was in limited action and against mostly bad defenses. As soon as he played against a good defense (the Chiefs), he struggled immensely. There will also be more film on Lock heading into 2020, which could end up being problematic for the Broncos signal caller.
Even still – Lock very well could be the second best quarterback in the division in 2020, showing just how bad the position will be in the AFC West.
The other three teams aren’t dumb; They know in order to do much of anything, they’ll have to be able to hang with Kansas City for potentially the next decade. The Chargers are making the change now, the Raiders could be in that boat soon too, and the Broncos are hoping that the guy they drafted will be an upgrade over the retreads they’ve tried out the last few seasons.
With only four teams in the division, the fact that two teams could have a different quarterback next season is big. That should make things easier for the Chiefs to win the division again in 2020, but it could complicate things in a few years (assuming those teams draft new signal callers).
Six Chiefs to Re-Sign for 2020 Season. dark. Next
One thing is for sure though: The Kansas City Chiefs have the best quarterback in the AFC West and that won’t be changing anytime soon. As long as they have Patrick Mahomes, they’re far and away the best team in the division.