We continue on with our series looking at the teams on the Kansas City Chiefs 2017 schedule. Up today is the Washington Redskins who are usually the league leader in dysfunction and is no different this week. They are fresh off Washington executive Bruce Allen calling Kirk Cousins “Kurt” and explaining their offers - in public - to Cousins and why they didn’t get a deal done. It was a little bizarre but that’s Washington for you (the football team and, you know, everything else).
More previews: Patriots | Eagles | Chargers | Full schedule
I’m not sure I have a good read on this game because I don’t pay attention to NFC teams as much. The Chiefs last played Washington in 2013 when they whooped them in the snow at their own house, 45-10. This team is a little different since then! They were 8-7-1 last year so it’s not likely they’ll be a pushover.
Thanks to SB Nation’s Hogs Haven for providing the info below on this Monday Night Football game in Week 4. Arrowhead will be hopping. Note their new defensive coordinator: Greg Manusky, a former Chief!
Notable free agent additions: WRs Terrelle Pryor, Brian Quick, S DJ Swearinger, ILB Zach Brown; DE Terrell McClain, Stacy McGee
Notable free agent departures: WRs DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garçon; DEs Chris Baker, Ricky Jean Francois
Trades: None
Draft picks expected to contribute as rookies: DE Jonathan Allen, OLB Ryan Anderson
Biggest offseason addition:
Terrelle Pryor will be asked to shoulder a true No. 1 wide receiver load this season. After DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon departed via free agency, his chemistry with Kirk Cousins needs to develop quickly. Josh Doctson is another wide receiver addition as he returns from a rookie season lost to injury.
Biggest storyline heading into training camp:
The biggest story of the offseason is obviously the ongoing contract drama with QB Kirk Cousins. This will be settled, at least for this year, by the July 17th deadline to either sign a long-term deal or play out the franchise tag. (Update: Settled!) The firing of Scot McCloughan, and Bruce Allen stepping back out of the shadows, and the subsequent “restructuring” of the front office was the other big storyline that affects the team.
Under-the-radar storyline heading into training camp:
Major turnover in the coaching staff affects both sides of the ball. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry was fired after two uninspired seasons, and will be replaced by OLB coach Greg Manusky. The Redskins also added defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to finally improve the DL. Offensive coordinator Sean McVay left for a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Rams and will be replaced by QB coach Matt Cavanaugh. Jay Gruden will return to calling plays on offense this year. The defense seems improved and the offense has more question marks.
Notable injuries heading into training camp:
Rookie CB Fabian Moreau will likely enter the season on PUP, OLB Junior Galette makes his third attempt to play a snap as a Redskin after back-to-back Achilles injuries.