5 Chiefs Immediately on Thin Ice to Begin 2025 Offseason
By Chris Schad
The shock of the Kansas City Chiefs season is just settling in. The Chiefs mounted a 15-2 record and while they posted a perfect 12-0 mark in one-score games, their bid for a third straight championship came up short in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Chiefs fans are understandably disappointed by the final result but it opens the gate to a world of possibilities in the offseason. Kansas City remains a contender as long as Patrick Mahomes is playing quarterback and with Travis Kelce and Andy Reid likely returning for another season, there’s no reason to think the Chiefs won’t be a favorite to win another Lombardi Trophy in 2025.
But while we know some players will be along for the ride, others may be in a fluid situation. The Chiefs loss served as an eye-opener for what they’ll need to do this offseason and multiple players enter the coming months on thin ice as they look to improve next season.
1. Nazeeh Johnson, CB
It feels like we can’t have one of these articles without mentioning Nazeeh Johnson. The Chiefs cornerback made the roster as a seventh-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft and had his first extensive action this season. But while his role increased, it was more out of necessity than performance.
Johnson was originally ticketed for a depth role with Kansas City but was thrust into action when Jaylen Watson suffered an ankle injury in October. While Johnson appeared in a season-high 16 games, it was more about quantity than quality as only defensive lineman Derrick Nnadi (37.6) posted a lower overall grade than Johnson’s 53.9 this season according to Pro Football Focus.
Traditional measures didn’t help Johnson’s case either. The 26-year-old was burned for a 108.0 passer rating that was the second-highest among Chiefs cornerbacks behind Keith Taylor Jr. Johnson also had trouble in downfield coverage as his 15.5 yards allowed per reception led Kansas City last season.
The good news for Kansas City is that Watson returned during the playoffs and will be back next season. But the Chiefs have to find a way to keep this from happening again. Johnson is an unrestricted free agent that could find a job elsewhere but he also could return to the Chiefs to battle with a draft pick or another depth cornerback signing.
A return to his natural position of safety or a change of scenery may be able to help but Johnson may be on the thinnest ice of anyone on the Chiefs roster.