The Kansas City Chiefs went from being the team to beat right back to being overlooked. Time and time again, opposing teams and analysts predicted their downfall, but this time, they may actually have reasons to feel that way.
While no one can argue Patrick Mahomes' greatness or how much of a threat he poses, the supporting cast around him has never been this underwhelming. At least, that's how Micah Parsons feels.
In a video for Bleacher Report, the Green Bay Packers star predicted standings for all eight divisions. Notably, he had the Chiefs finish third in the AFC West behind the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers.
Micah Parsons doesn't like the Chiefs' chances in the AFC West
"I do not think Kansas City put enough around Patrick Mahomes to win the AFC West and go pick another title run," Parsons said. "Trent McDuffie left — you just don't let those types of players leave. It's just hard for me to say they're ready to win. When I look at the receivers, I don't see a really threatening one."
To be fair, Parsons has a valid point. Of course, the Chiefs replaced McDuffie with a promising talent like Mansoor Delane, but he's a rookie first and foremost, and he was pretty banged up for most of training camp.
As for the receiver stuff, that's a bit of a toss-up. The jury is still out on Xavier Worthy, who might finally prove that he was worth a first-round selection this season, and Rashee Rice was pretty solid as a rookie.
There are reasons for skepticism. The pass rush wasn't great, the offensive line is unproven, and Mahomes is coming off the first big injury of his career. That said, there are also many reasons to feel excited.
For starters, Eric Bieniemy's return should help spark the running game again, and Kenneth Walker III is a beast. Cyrus Allen also looks promising, and when has it ever paid off to doubt Andy Reid's offensive play-calling and Mahomes' greatness? And what if Travis Kelce still has one more in him before riding into the sunset?
The Chiefs revamped their roster with younger pieces, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Also, Steve Spagnuolo still deserves the benefit of the doubt as arguably the greatest defensive coordinator of all time.
The front office should be held accountable, and they must act fast if this team gets off to a slow start, but opposing teams should know better than to keep sleeping on the Chiefs after being wrong about them so many times.
Unless Kansas City meets Green Bay in the Super Bowl, the Chiefs won't have a chance to silence Parsons and make him eat his words. But who knows? If someone can do a lot with a little, that's Patrick Mahomes.
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