The Chiefs squeaked out an overtime win against the Titans on Sunday night. Kansas City managed just 20 points in the game – over half of them coming in the final minutes of regulation and overtime – against a tough Tennessee defense.
The Titans forced Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs to lean heavily on the passing game, which isn’t usually an issue for Andy Reid, but Tennessee’s linebackers and secondary proved to be a problem. While Mahomes threw for 446 yards, the Chiefs only managed two touchdowns in the game.
Kayla Knierim, Cody Tapp, and Nick Schwerdt of the Audacy Original Podcast “It’s Always Gameday in Kansas City” talked about the Chiefs’ offensive issues and floated out the idea of signing Odell Beckham Jr.
“Why does everything have to be backed up by statistics and numbers? Why can’t we just go off feelings sometimes?” Tapp said (15:14 in player above). “That’s why I still want Odell here. Screw the rest of this. I don’t care if it’s a bidding war. Just sign him. It’ll be fun!”
While Tapp may have been speaking a bit facetiously, it’s not necessarily a bad thought. The Chiefs’ offense hasn’t been as consistent since losing Tyreek Hill and Beckham Jr. gives teams another weapon in the passing game.
Mahomes’ main offensive target is tight end Travis Kelce. Beckham Jr. would give the Chiefs a threat on the outside.
“I would say that (Sunday’s) game gives you more ammunition for the idea that the Chiefs need Odell Beckham Jr.,” Schwerdt said. “You know what he can do? Separate. Or make contested catches.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster has been tasked with stepping into that top wide receiver role and he's done a decent job. The longtime Steelers wideout signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in March, just days before Kansas City sent Hill to Miami.
Smith-Schuster has 582 yards on 60 catches with two touchdowns through eight games this season. However, he has been improving recently with 325 of those 582 yards coming in just the last three games. He had 22 catches on 25 targets for those 325 yards against the Bills, 49ers, and Titans.
Mecole Hardman and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are solid depth options for the Chiefs, but any team would get a boost from signing a talent like Odell Beckham Jr.
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