3 Chiefs Players Fighting for Their Jobs in Week 7 vs. Chargers
By Joe Summers
The Chiefs sit atop the AFC West with a fantastic chance to effectively end the race this week, but not every player has met expectations through six weeks.
In a pivotal stretch for the Chiefs before the second-half schedule gets more challenging, Andy Reid and the coaching staff are likely to make personnel changes as necessary to maximize the team's success moving forward.
Just like we saw Isiah Pacheco take over the starting running back role last year around this time, other players could be elevated in the coming weeks to replace underperforming starters.
With that in mind, here are three players fighting for their jobs in Week 7 this Sunday vs. the Chargers:
3 Chiefs Players Fighting for Their Jobs in Week 7
1. Marquez Valdes-Scantling
My disdain for Valdes-Scantling's pitiful output is well-documented, but it's impossible to overstate how disappointing he's been this season. He's got seven catches for 116 yards on the entire season and this week may be his last chance to make a real impact.
Simply put, the Chargers' pass defense is horrible. After CeeDee Lamb toasted Los Angeles for 117 yards on Monday Night Football, Brandon Staley's secondary has now let eight different players notch at least 75 receiving yards.
WR Leaders by YPRR [minus busted coverage]
— Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) October 10, 2023
1 Tyreek Hill (5.33)
2 Brandon Aiyuk (5.04)
3 DJ Moore (4.41)
...
79 Marquez Valdes-Scantling (0.71)*
80 Skyy Moore (0.70)**
Last / 81 KJ Osborn (0.68)
*has run 70 more routes than Rashee Rice
**has run 60 more routes than Rashee Rice
The Chargers surrender 7.7 yards per pass play, the second-worst mark in the league to only the Broncos. If Valdes-Scantling can't make an impact against this defense, it's time to reduce his snap count.
Justin Watson's injury opens the door for the AFC Championship hero to get some targets, but his snap count will be impossible to justify if Valdes-Scantling doesn't produce this week.
Rashee Rice's excellent play of late demands more playing time. With the trade deadline coming up, the Chiefs could be active on the wide receiver market too.
Valdes-Scantling has the sixth-highest cap hit on the roster this season. So far, he's been an enormous waste of money and needs to produce to justify a spot on the roster in 2024.
While some players like this one are fighting for their jobs because of poor play, others are in a tough spot through no fault of their own.