The Kansas City Chiefs are undergoing an identity change on offense in 2024.
Their hand was forced when they lost wide receivers Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice for the season due to injuries. It's been a bumpy ride offensively for the Chiefs thus far, by thanks to timely playmaking and great defense they have a perfect 5-0 record.
Kansas City is coming off its best offensive performance of the year against the New Orleans Saints, racking up 460 total yards and scoring 26 points. However, it had to settle for five field goal attempts and only got into the endzone twice. While redzone execution does need work, the Chiefs' offense discovered a formula could become a big part of its identity.
The Chiefs lined up in 14 personnel multiple time against the Saints, a formation that features four tight ends. Travis Kelce played 65 snaps, Noah Gray 51, rookie Jared Wiley 18 and Jody Fortson, who K.C. just re-signed the week prior, took 11. Not many teams have four quality tight ends who they trust to play that many snaps.
14 personnel could be what takes the Chiefs' offense to the next level. Kelce recorded a season high nine receptions against New Orleans, with Gray adding two and Fortson one. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was opened up by Kelce's production, catching seven passes for 130 yards. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw 331 yards, the most he's had in any game this season.
It's not just the passing game that was improved by 14 personnel. Running back Kareem Hunt ran the ball 27 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy also added a rushing touchdown near the goal line. It's likely not a coincidence that K.C. had its best day rushing with four tight ends on the field.
The Chiefs obviously can't live in 14 personnel, and it would definitely be nice if they could add another quality receiver before the trade deadline, but there's no doubt that the tight end group is going to play a crucial role in the offense for the remainder of the season.
Kelce has proven over the past two weeks that he's still an elite player, Gray is off to the best start of any season he's ever had and Fortson is a quality blocker and occasional redzone threat. If the Chiefs can get the rookie Wiley to translate some of his training camp success to the regular season, they will have one of the most unique, and effective, offensive attacks in the league.
