Our 2024 NFL division preview heads westward, where the AFC West once again looks to be Kansas City’s to lose. Working on their NINTH consecutive division crown, will the Chiefs manage to secure the unthinkable and win a third straight Super Bowl? Will new leadership in Las Vegas and Los Angeles lead to greater obstacles in their path? Has Denver finally found their saving grace at Quarterback? If any of these teams manage to unseat the reigning champs it will be viewed as a major surprise, though stranger things have happened…
Denver Broncos
Key Arrivals: Bo Nix (QB), Josh Reynolds (WR), John Franklin-Myers (DE)
Key Departures: Russell Wilson (QB), Jerry Jeudy (WR), Josey Jewell (LB), Justin Simmons (S), Kareem Jackson (S)
Season Outlook: Year One of the Sean Payton era in Denver was an uneven one, as the veteran Head Coach never quite seemed pleased with the team that he inherited. This was none more evident than at Quarterback, where his relationship with Russell Wilson was as frosty as the summit of the Rocky Mountains. After rallying back from a 1-5 start in which they suffered a 70-20 loss at the Dolphins, the Broncos eventually opted to bench Wilson following a Christmas Eve defeat against the Patriots, so that they could ensure he would pass a postseason physical and not trigger a guarantee in his contract. Not long after the end of the 8-9 campaign, the former Super Bowl Champion was released outright, along with a slew of other longtime members of the team, as Payton & Co veered headlong into their second offseason with the mission of finding a Franchise QB. Fortunately, last Spring’s NFL Draft was purported to be full of such talent, as Denver selected Bo Nix twelfth overall. One of the most experienced Quarterbacks available, the Heisman finalist started a whopping 61 games over the course of 5 successful seasons with Auburn and Oregon. Sporting an underrated arm, an accurate touch, and solid athleticism, the 24-year-old fits the mold of the kind of passer that Payton has been looking for. While the comparisons to (former Saints QB) Drew Brees are inevitable, the Broncos are banking on Nix putting to rest the sad revolving door that has been the Quarterback position at Mile High. Since winning Super Bowl L and watching Peyton Manning ride off into retirement, this is a franchise that has endured 7 consecutive losing campaigns with a dozen different starters trying their hand at the game’s most important position.
Kansas City Chiefs
Key Arrivals: Marquise Brown (WR), Xavier Worthy (WR), Kingsley Suamataia (OT)
Key Departures: L’Jarius Sneed (CB), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), Donovan Smith (LT), Willie Gay Jr. (LB)
Season Outlook: For the third time in 5 years, the Chiefs sit atop the National Football League, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as the sport’s latest dynasty. On top of that, they have absolutely OWNED the AFC West, winning 8 consecutive division crowns, with (2-time MVP) Patrick Mahomes presiding over all but 2 of those titles, sporting a ridiculous 30-5 record against the other 3 teams. Now, Kansas City is on a mission to do something that hasn’t been done in the Super Bowl era: claim an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl Championship. Indeed, as has been the case in the past, (Head Coach) Andy Reid & Co have dealt with the attrition that success brings, trading away (stellar Cornerback) L’Jarius Sneed among other starters, though this is a franchise that has done a tremendous job of anticipating departures ahead of time, with replacements ready to step in and perform. Reid and (General Manager) Brett Veach have thus turned their attention to revitalizing the vertical passing game, which had taken a backseat to a more controlled, measured approach over the past few campaigns. Of course, Mahomes has a canon for an arm, so why not use it? With that in mind, the Chiefs added Marquis “Hollywood” Brown in free agency before doubling down in the draft with (Texas product) Xavier Worthy, gifting the Receiving Corps with a pair burners. These additions should bring back a dimension to the attack that hasn’t been seen since Tyreek Hill was racing past helpless Defensive Backs though it remains to be seen how this unit gels with their QB. Already, Brown has been sidelined with what has been reported to be a dislocated SC joint, which is concerning given that the 27-year-old has missed 10 games over the past 2 seasons due to various maladies. Remember, (Sophomore Wideout) Rashee Rice, who hauled in 79 receptions for 938 yards and 7 touchdowns as a rookie will likely be suspended for the beginning of the campaign due to his involvement in a high-speed car crash back in April.
Las Vegas Raiders
Key Arrivals: Christian Wilkins (DT), Garnder Minshew (QB), Alexander Mattison (RB), Andrus Peat (OT), Cody Whitehair (OG), Brock Bowers (TE), Jackson Powers-Johnson (OG)
Key Departures: Josh Jacobs (RB), Jimmy Garoppolo (QB), Amik Robertson (CB), Hunter Renfrow (WR), Jermaine Eluemunor (OT)
Season Outlook: For the third time in 4 seasons, the Raiders will be opening the campaign with a different Head Coach, as Antonio Pierce looks to carry over the momentum that he managed to create last Fall. Las Vegas got off to a disappointing 3-5 start before eventually handing (former HC) Josh McDaniels his walking papers, with the fiery Pierce filling the void, leading the Silver & Black to a respectable 5-4 finish down the stretch, in which the Offense stopped turning the ball over (16 of their 24 turnovers came prior to Pierce’s ascension), while the Defense stiffened up in allowing just 16.0 points per game on 324.9 total yards, enjoying a healthy +6 turnover margin along the way. While Pierce and (new General Manager) Tom Telesco put together a solid offseason in acquiring the services of (versatile Defensive Lineman) Christian Wilkins to bolster the trenches, they ultimately missed out on any of the top Quarterbacks in the draft, unable to trade up for their rumored targets. As such, the Raiders head into 2024 with a big question mark at the game’s most important position; (incumbent Sophomore) Aidan O’Connell had his moments after taking over midseason, though they were tepid at best, which eventually led Vegas to add (veteran journeyman) Gardner Minshew, now with his third franchise in as many years. The 28-year-old has the leg up on his younger teammate given that he has started 37 games and appeared in 12 more over the course of his career, including a 7-6 run with the Colts last Fall in which Indy came oh so close to reaching the playoffs. Whomever wins the job, they will have a talented supporting cast around them, including (6-time Pro Bowl Wideout) Davante Adams and the thirteenth overall pick in last Spring’s draft, (promising Tight End) Brock Bowers, who has been turning heads throughout offseason activities.
Los Angeles Chargers
Key Arrivals: Jim Harbaugh (HC), Gus Edwards (RB), J.K. Dobbins (RB), Hayden Hurst (TE), Joe Alt (OT), Ladd McConkey (WR), Bradley Bozeman (C)
Key Departures: Austin Ekeler (RB), Mike Williams (WR), Keenan Allen (WR), Gerald Everett (TE), Austin Johnson (DT),
Season Outlook: After nearly 3 seasons of blown leads, questionable playcalling and game management, and just a general sense of underachievement, the Chargers decided to end the Brandon Staley era in SoCal. Actually, the former skipper didn’t even make it to the finish line as he was axed after an embarrassing 63-21 pummeling at the hands of the Raiders in mid-December. Los Angeles would go on to lose their final 5 games of the season, culminating in a disappointing 5-12 finish, their worst since 2019. Injuries ravaged the Bolts, including many of their stars, though none more so than (Pro-Bowl Quarterback) Justin Herbert, who suffered a broken index finger on his throwing hand, ending his campaign after 13 games. So, in an attempt to change the culture, the Spanos Family handed the keys over to none other than Jim Harbaugh, fresh off of winning a National Championship at the University of Michigan. Prior to returning to the collegiate level to lead his alma mater, Harbaugh had spent 4 very successful seasons heading the 49ers, leading them to 3 consecutive NFC Title Games and an NFC Championship in 2012. As expected, the 60-year-old has cleaned house, with many of the players that had defined the previous era of the franchise being shipped out in favor of those more fitting of the taskmaster’s style and personality. In other words, the Chargers are getting tougher. Harbaugh imported (Tailbacks) Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins along with former colleague, (Offensive Coordinator) Greg Roman, from his brother’s roost in Baltimore, while selecting (Notre Dame Tackle) Joe Alt with the sixth overall pick in the draft and adding (veteran Center) Bradley Bozeman to bring more physicality to the Offensive Line. Simply put, Los Angeles will be running the football this Fall more than they have in over a decade, which should be fascinating given Herbert’s skillset.