Former Raider is still available to replace struggling boss before playoffs

On By Littum

The Chiefs’ roster is mostly finalized before the postseason, though there is still one move the front office can make that would give the team the best chance to win a historic third consecutive Super Bowl.

WR Justin Watson has struggled this season and proved in Week 16 why he should be benched moving forward. Although Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Hollywood Brown give Kansas City a quality trio at the position, free agent wideout Hunter Renfrow is an ideal last-minute option that could serve as insurance should any of those three suffer an injury .

Considering how much suffering the Chiefs have dealt with in 2024, it’s wise to make sure the offense has as much depth as possible at key positions.

It’s bizarre that Renfrow didn’t make a team this season. Still just 29 years old, he caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and nine TDs for the Raiders in 2021, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process. Even though he was signed solely as a depth piece to serve as an emergency solution, it’s still an acquisition Brett Veach needs to consider.

Watson has routinely struggled to track down deep passes this year. Either way, he has played the second-most snaps of any receiver on the team, catching only 19 total passes. He’s unlikely to be a big part of the rotation in the playoffs, but Renfrow’s smooth route running would still be an upgrade over what Watson currently offers.

This late in the season, neither signing would make a huge difference in the long-term outlook. However, Veach has been adamant about leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of a third straight championship, making Renfrow a legitimate possibility despite the timeline.

With several expiring contracts at receiver coming up, signing Renfrow would also let the coaching staff evaluate him to determine if it’s worth pursuing him for next year’s team. He’s just on the street so the cost would be minimal.

Put it all together and there is no true downside, but plenty of upside. Despite being unlikely, kicking the tires on Renfrow to replace Watson could make the Chiefs better in key matchups.

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