Two NFL.com analysts pick the Chiefs as the team most ‘in trouble’ in 2019

In an article published on Friday, five NFL.com writers were asked a simple question:

“Which 2018 playoff team is in the most trouble heading into 2019?”

Brian Baldinger and Charley Casserly picked the Baltimore Ravens. Maurice Jones-Drew picked the Houstan Texans.

But two writers picked the Kansas City Chiefs.

Reggie Wayne said that expectations would get the better of the Chiefs

Even though they had maybe the best offense in the league in 2018, the Chiefs will no doubt struggle next season. They just jettisoned two of the best pass rushers (Dee Ford and Justin Houston) from an already subpar defense. Not only that, Kansas City comes into 2019 with crazy high expectations, and I know how much of a challenge that is to do from my years with the Colts. It’s hard to duplicate a season like the one the Chiefs had a year ago. There’s a lot more room to fall than there is to climb.

David Carr agreed with Wayne about Houston and Ford, and said the team simply has too many questions.

There are so many questions surrounding the Chiefs. After exits by Dee Ford and Justin Houston, how are they going to rebuild the pass rush? How will they replace Kareem Hunt’s backfield production? What will Tyreek Hill’s status be come Week 1? I’m just not sure what the Chiefs will be. Regardless of their flaws, you can bet that I’ll tune in every week to watch Patrick Mahomes.

We’re glad that David Carr will be watching Mahomes. Expectations are indeed high after the incredible MVP season Mahomes compiled in his first season as a starter. And it’s certainly true that the Chiefs have big shoes to fill with the departure of Houston and Ford.

But... c’mon, man! It’s only March.

As Chiefs.com writer Matt McMullen noted on Friday, it’s not as if the Chiefs rushing attack fell off a cliff when Kareem Hunt was released.

If Carr tuned in to watch Mahomes at the end of 2018, how could have failed to notice Damien Williams?

Tyreek Hill? It’s true that Hill’s status for 2019 remains unknown. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Not only has the Chiefs wide receiver not been charged with a crime, to this point, he has yet to even be credibly accused of anything.

Is it fair to suggest that the Chiefs could struggle on defense with all the changes made to the team during the offseason? On balance, the answer would have to be yes. But even with a well-below average defense, the Chiefs were a play away from the Super Bowl in 2018.

And now they have the Honey Badger.

What say you?