For seven consecutive years, the Chiefs have ruled the AFC West. And while anything is possible, they’re strong favorites to do so again.
However, they’ll face a challenge from the Chargers, who made the playoffs for the first time last year under coach Brandon Staley. Going 10–7 despite a myriad of injuries, Los Angeles has the talent to push Kansas City.
The Broncos and Raiders are in a different situation than their divisional counterparts. Both Denver and Las Vegas have quarterback questions along with shaky offensive lines.
Sean Payton is trying to get the Broncos back to respectability after a brutal 2022 under Nathaniel Hackett, while Josh McDaniels might be coaching for his job in Sin City.
Here’s how we see the four rosters stacking up in the AFC West, starting with the Silver and Black.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders underwent a makeover this offseason, led by replacing quarterback Derek Carr with the similarly-limited-and-oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo. They also added first-round edge rusher Tyree Wilson to the defensive front, giving Maxx Crosby a better running mate than the 2022 version of Chandler Jones.
Nonetheless, this Las Vegas squad has more questions than answers. The secondary has been a problem for years and looks to be again this season, with corner Nate Hobbs being the only reliable member of the defensive backfield. In a division that features Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert? Yikes.
Additionally, the linebackers are a huge point of concern. Las Vegas doesn’t have much versatility or coverage acumen, with Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo in line for a majority of the snaps.
Offensively, the line has issues beyond star left tackle Kolton Miller, a rare first-rounder who worked out for the Raiders. The weaponry is solid with receivers like Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers and Hunter Renfrow, but trading away tight end Darren Waller could end up being costly.
Overall, the Raiders will win some games, and be competitive in a few more, but this roster needs a few good drafts to fill out many starting roles and a litany of depth spots.
3. Denver Broncos
Broncos fans are certainly exhausted hearing about Russell Wilson, but this is where everything begins and potentially ends for Denver. Wilson was abominable last year, throwing for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2022. His offensive line also allowed the most sacks in the league (63), partially because Wilson held on to the ball.
Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports
Despite all this, there weren’t wholesale changes in personnel. The Broncos added guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey in free agency but otherwise stood pat. The belief is new coach Sean Payton can elevate this group from the league’s lowest-scoring offense to respectability. Beyond Wilson, a big key will be health. In 2022, receiver Tim Patrick was lost in training camp to a torn ACL, while left tackle Garett Bolles played just five games.
As for the defense, the question is the pass rush. The Broncos have traded away Von Miller and Bradley Chubb over the past two years, and they are now left with the unreliable Randy Gregory and Baron Browning off the edges, along with free-agent signing Zach Allen trying to replace Dre’Mont Jones. It could be an Achilles heel.
If there’s one certainty in Denver, it’s an excellent secondary. Third-year corner Pat Surtain II is arguably the NFL’s best at the position, while safety Justin Simmons is perennially in the Pro Bowl mix.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
An offseason tradition unlike any other: hyping the Chargers. Los Angeles is teeming with talent, as quarterback Justin Herbert leads an excellent unit on the field with new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore at the controls. Moore will be far more aggressive than his predecessor, Joe Lombardi, who featured a low-risk, low-return attack.
Receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen will be joined by rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston on the outside, while running back Austin Ekeler will look to lead the NFL with total touchdowns for a third straight year. The offensive line is also solid, highlighted by left tackle Rashawn Slater.
On defense, the secondary has stars in safety Derwin James Jr. and corner Asante Samuel Jr., but the rest of the group has question marks. The linebackers were downgraded this offseason, with the losses of Kyle Van Noy (still available) and Drue Tranquill in free agency. Eric Kendricks was brought in on a two-year deal, but he struggled with the Vikings last year.
Up front, Joey Bosa is one of the league’s best—but like so many other Chargers stars, he must stay healthy. (He’s missed 30 games over his seven-year career.) He’ll pair with Khalil Mack on the edges, who, after notching six sacks over his first half-dozen games with the Bolts, totaled only two over the remaining 11.
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are looking to reach their fourth Super Bowl in five years, and they’ll do it with a youthful roster. Kansas City’s only significant contributors 30 years and older are tight end Travis Kelce, running back Jerick McKinnon and guard Joe Thuney.
Offensively, it’s all about two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Last year, Mahomes threw for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns despite the offseason trade of Tyreek Hill. After losing wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster to free agency in March, Mahomes will once again rely on Kelce, plus a collection of average receivers and a wild card in Kadarius Toney (acquired from the Giants in October).
However, the offensive line is one of the league’s best. General manager Brett Veach signed left tackle Donovan Smith to a one-year deal to replace Orlando Brown Jr., while right tackle Jawaan Taylor comes to Kansas City on a four-year, $80 million pact. They flank arguably the NFL’s best interior with Thuney, fellow guard Trey Smith and All-Pro center Creed Humphrey.
As for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, look for a litany of second- and third-year talents to continue ascending, including linebacker Nick Bolton, edge rusher George Karlaftis, and corners Jaylen Watson, Trent McDuffie and Joshua Williams, among others. Still, the star of the defense is tackle Chris Jones, who is coming off a first-team All-Pro season after totaling 15.5 sacks.
