A grueling 2023 NFL season ends on Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs go toe-to-toe with the San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl LVIII. Patrick Mahomes & Co. have a lot to prove this weekend as the Chiefs are projected to be underdogs by the majority of sportsbooks.
If the Chiefs want to prove their doubters wrong, everyone must do their part this Sunday. It's crucual for certain players to step up not only for the team's benefit but also if those individuals want to keep their jobs going forward — both in Kansas City and the NFL, in general.
Here are five Chiefs who are playing for their jobs in the Super Bowl this weekend.
1. WR Mecole Hardman
Mecole Hardman's career has been quite the rollercoaster. There was a lot of hype surrounding the ex-Georgia wide receiver when he was drafted 56th overall in 2019. He was just coming off back-to-back second-team All-SEC campaigns and many thought that his blistering speed combined with Mahomes' arm would turn him into a major threat for years to come.
Hardman spent his first four seasons in Kansas City and even won two Super Bowl rings, but consistently left Chiefs fans wanting more. Even though he showed flashes of potential here and there, he'd often disappear from the stat sheet for weeks at a team, playing a role in why he's failed to crack the 700-yard mark.
Hardman signed with the New York Jets last March but was traded back to the Chiefs in October in exchange for a 2025 seventh-rounder. Unfortunately, he's barely made an impact since his return, yielding one catch on three targets for six yards before hauling in another two receptions for five yards in the playoffs.
Hardman is still young (25) and the speed is still here, but the fact that he hasn't made many major improvements over five seasons is concerning. Unless he balls out in Vegas, his future with the Chiefs will be up in the air.
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2. WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Sticking with the WR room, Marquez Valdes-Scantling's job could also be in jeopardy this weekend.
Signed to a three-year, $30 million contract in 2022, Valdes-Scantling has left much to be desired. The Chiefs looked to him as a potential WR1 following Tyreek Hill's departure, but the ex-South Florida playmaker hasn't come close to matching those heights, recording 63 receptions for 1,002 yards and three touchdowns across 33 games.
MVS is slated to carry a $13.9 million cap hit in 2024 and it's hard to imagine the Chiefs being comfortable with that number given his production. For comparison, that's a similar salary compared to the likes of Brandon Aiyuk ($14.1 million) and A.J. Brown ($12.4 million) — two wideouts who are much better than him.
The Chiefs can rid themselves of Valdes-Scantling's entire cap hit if he's released or traded this offseason, highlighting the need for him to give his best on Sunday. If he comes up with another dud, his time in Kansas City might be over — regardless if the Chiefs win the Super Bowl or not.
3. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The 2023 campaign was the worst of Clyde Edwards-Helaire's four-year career.
The former LSU Tiger saw a career-low 70 carries across 15 games, converting them into just 223 rushing yards (personal-worst 3.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown. He was also targeted 22 times for 17 receptions and 188 yards, however, his one receiving TD was his lowest total since his rookie season.
The arrival of the postseason also saw Edwards-Helaire's playing time decline. He went from playing 30% of offensive snaps in the Wild Card to 26% in the Divisional Round before only seeing 21% of the offensive snap share in the AFC Championship Game.
With free agency looming, the time is now or never for Edwards-Helaire to turn things around. Isiah Pacheco is still the clear-cut RB1 for the Chiefs, however, a strong Super Bowl showing would likely be good enough for CEH to keep his role as the RB2.
Considering how the 24-year-old has the potentially returning Jerick McKinnon to compete with on Sunday, Edwards-Helaire can't afford to make any mistakes against the 49ers if he hopes to remain a Chief.
4. WR Kadarius Toney
The Chiefs took a swing on Kadarius Toney when they acquired him from the New York Giants for two draft picks back in October 2022. It was an exciting move at the time given that the ex-Florida Gator was a former 2021 first-round selection
Nevertheless, Toney's tenure has left Chiefs fans to wonder if he'll ever reach his theoretical ceiling. The 25-year-old has been limited to just 20 regular-season games in a Kansas City jersey, turning 41 receptions into 340 yards and three TDs while failing to even hit the 200-yard mark in back-to-back campaigns.
Toney has been out of the Chiefs' lineup since Week 15, resulting in an NSFW Instagram rant where he accused the franchise of lying about his injuries. He's since claimed that the video in question was altered, but regardless of whether it was or wasn't, it's clear that he's become an off-field distraction.
It's still up in the air as to whether or not Toney will suit up at Allegiant Stadium this weekend. We know what he can do on football's biggest stage — he recorded the longest punt return in Super Bowl history last year — but his issue with drops (5 in 2023 alone) could make dressing him difficult with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
If Toney suits up and fails to make a positive impact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs traded him this offseason.
5. DL Coach Joe Cullen
The players aren't the only ones playing for their jobs this Sunday.
It'll be interesting to see how defensive line coach Joe Cullen performs against the 49ers' elite offense. The 56-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the Chiefs and was a key reason why they have one of the best defenses in the NFL this season.
Having said that, Cullen can't afford to make mistakes at Super Bowl LVIII. NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported on Sunday that the Chiefs DL coach is being considered for "several defensive coordinator jobs" both at the professional and the college level. It isn't hard to imagine how a disastrous Super Bowl performance could tank those plans.
Cullen's job with the Chiefs could also be at risk if the defensive line can't stop the 49ers' attack. Christian McCaffrey is, arguably, the best running back in the game, but that doesn't mean there's an excuse to let him run wild. Cullen has to ensure that his players slow them down or he might be out of a job by next week.
The Quincy, MA native has done great work in Kansas City, so hopefully he continues that trend in Las Vegas.
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