Teicher: Chiefs seem adrift while Raiders ride momentum
 

Chiefs seem adrift while Raiders ride momentum

Adam Teicher
ESPN Staff Writer



KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The most notable event of the week for one AFC West favorite came when the Oakland Raiders signed their franchise quarterback, Derek Carr, to a five-year contract extension.

The most notable event of the week for the division's other top contender came when the Kansas City Chiefs announced -- one month before the start of training camp -- they were looking to hire a new general manager.

Talk about a tale of two franchises. Carr and Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie were all smiles at Friday's news conference to announce the quarterback's contract. Carr, even though he's now the highest-paid player in NFL history, talked about his desire to leave some money for teammates who are also due for a raise. McKenzie talked about his desire to get that accomplished.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs hid behind a prepared statement that didn't explain their reasons for letting go of general manager John Dorsey.

In Oakland, they have a plan. With Carr signed for the long term, McKenzie and the Raiders are free to secure some of their other good, young players such as linebacker Khalil Mack, offensive lineman Gabe Jackson and wide receiver Amari Cooper.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs don't have a plan or if they do, they need a better one. Looking for a GM with training camp looming should never be a part of the script.

The week's developments in Oakland and in Kansas City won't necessarily determine the course of the AFC West race in 2017 and for years to come. They will make things more difficult for the Chiefs, who tied with the Raiders at 12-4 last season but won the AFC West title because they swept the two games against Oakland.

Both teams until recently looked as if they had sustainability. The Raiders have many good, young players and the financial resources to keep them around for a while. The Chiefs are well coached by Andy Reid and his staff and also have a talented roster that was being continually restocked because of Dorsey's smart drafting. The Chiefs in April drafted Patrick Mahomes II, perhaps giving them an eventual franchise quarterback of their own.

Suddenly, it's natural to wonder about the Chiefs, who don't look as if they're being guided by any well-thought-out plan. Early in June, they released their most accomplished and experienced wide receiver, Jeremy Maclin, two years after signing him as a free agent.

Now, after discussing a contract extension with Dorsey earlier in the offseason, they're looking for his replacement. That task is more daunting given the mixed results from chairman Clark Hunt in hiring GMs. Dorsey was a good hire. The previous general manager, Scott Pioli, was not.

Hunt needs to get this one right. The Chiefs have to keep up with their rivals in Oakland, who have a general manager, money to burn and a smart plan.

The Chiefs, for the moment, have none of the three.


http://www.espn.com/blog/kansas-city...-ride-momentum

Like I said a few weeks ago, the Raiders and Broncos are already way ahead of the Chiefs in their QB development process. And now we need to rebuild a front office.

It might not result in a third-place finish in 2017 but for the long term it feels like we're currently in third place, until something changes.

Hard to argue with anything Teicher says here.

A vacant seat is better than Elway... Take you Donk loving ass back home to the mange

On the outside, without homer glasses on, it looks like the Chiefs are flailing.

When it comes to the draft, yeah. That is is one area that the Chiefs were dominating the Donks in, but now that guy is gone.

Because we are th........

Teicher: Your entire career seems adrift while other writers ride the momentum

We'll be fine...

pretty much... oh, but the drama! :rolleyes:

The Broncos are way behind the Chiefs. Less talented 53, brand new first time HC, first time DC, first year starting QB (if/when Lynch starts).

The Chiefs coaching staff has been together for 4 years and proven to be elite.

The broncos will not win 8 games this year.

I have no reason to think their offense will improve, and every reason to believe the defense will decline without Phillips.

Teicher is the game manager of sports writers...

Maybe last year, but the Broncos got better this offseason. The Chiefs did not.

It's a QB driven league and we're still trying to put in a new engine. Oakland has a finely tuned sports car at this point and Denver is doing speed runs. We need another year just to get ours out of the shop.

When I die, I want to reincarnate as a cow in India, or have Teicher's job at ESPN.

Both bring no value.

This article is full of lame drama. Y'all act like you have never seen an organization replace a GM before. The ship will keep on sailing.