by Tyler Thompson
Following the 2021-22 NFL season, each team in the AFC West definitely seemed to have disappointed their fanbase. The Chiefs had a record of 12-5 and made it to the AFC championship, where their season came to an end. Even though they made it to the game just before the Super Bowl, the past few years have seemed like Super Bowl or bust for the Chiefs. The Raiders finished second with a record of 10-7, with a Wild Card exit to keep Derek Carr winless in the playoffs. The third place team, the Chargers, finished 9-8, and their season ended on the very last game of the NFL regular season. This was a must-win (or tie, which nearly happened) game for the Chargers, but they fell just short as Daniel Carlson kicked the game winning field goal in overtime to send the Chargers home. In last place, the Broncos finished a with dismal record of 7-10. There is not much to say here; they were just not very good. All of these records are very disappointing. Some believed all 4 teams in the AFC West could make the playoffs. Now, after this season, each team in the AFC West have made significant moves, each a bigger move than the last.
Chargers Free Agency and Draft
The Chargers were very active during this offseason. Their first move was re-signing WR Mike Williams to a massive deal that will keep him in Los Angeles for the next three years. Days before NFL legal tampering period began, Chargers remained aggressive and traded a second this year and a sixth next year (they have since traded two sevenths in this years draft back to the Bears for the sixth back) for superstar all-pro OLB Khalil Mack. He is coming off of injury, but he should still be able to produce. Mack comes after Uchenna Nwosu departed for Seattle in free agency. Now, Joey Bosa will finally have help opposing him rushing the passer.
The Chargers next big move once legal tampering began was signing Patriots DB JC Jackson to a 5-year deal. Jackson is a stud, and is one of the top cornerbacks in the league. They have also bolstered their DT room after an abysmal run defense performance last year. They have added Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day to the room. These are both very solid additions. There should be a noticeable difference next year.
Following these moves, they have also signed former Seattle TE Gerald Everett, another solid addition. Everett is not a top tight end, but he is very solid and exceptional after the catch. The Chargers have also drafted G Zion Johnson in the first round, who should have an immediate impact on the offensive line.
Following the draft, the Chargers signed Bryce Callahan, who will replace Chris Harris Jr. at slot cornerback. They have also signed linebacker/edge Kyle Van Noy. Van Noy is a hybrid linebacker, but it is probable he will be used as more of an edge rusher. All of these additions should boost the Charger’s hopes of a Super Bowl way up, and if the defense can show up and Justin Herbert continues to be elite, the Chargers will be Super Bowl contenders.
Raiders Free Agency and Draft
Following the John Gruden controversies and his departure from the Raiders, the Raiders were left without a head coach. During the 2021-22 season, Rich Bisaccia filled that role mid-season. He was able to coach the Raiders to the playoffs, even with the incidents surronding the team like the arrest of Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette, former first round draft picks. Seeing how Bisaccia did even with everything surrounding the team truly showed that he was a formidable coach. Following the season, many advocated for him to be hired as the full-time head coach.
Raiders management decided to go a different direction and hire former Patriots OC Josh McDaniels as their new head coach. The Raiders began their offseason in-house, extending superstar edge Maxx Crosby to a massive contract extension. Crosby is a game wrecker and is one of the best to do it. He is the Raiders best defensive player by a wide margin. When the legal tampering period began, the Raiders got to work. They also acquired a star edge rusher, Chandler Jones, who had 10.5 sacks last year, 5 of which came in Week 1. Chandler Jones is still an exceptional pass rusher who will get to the quarterback quickly. The Raiders then traded OLB Yannick Ngakoue straight up for CB Rock Ya-Sin to help strengthen their secondary. Still, their secondary is very week and will be a liability. Hopefully, their star pass rush tandem will help out their secondary by putting pressure on the quarterback. The Raiders were aggressive and traded for superstar WR Davante Adams from the Packers in exchange for first and second-round draft picks in this year’s draft. They then extended Adams. Rumors came out that the Raiders and Packers were also in talks about superstar TE Darren Waller, but those rumors were shut down and Waller remains in their long term plans.
Together, Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, and Davante Adams form one of the scariest receiving cores in the NFL. The Raiders also extended QB Derek Carr, so now the question that will either bust the Raiders season or send them deep into the playoffs is if Carr will be able to be elite. Will the Raiders be stuck in mediocracy or threaten to make a run?
Chiefs Free Agency and Draft
The Chiefs did not make any huge splash signings, but they did make a huge trade. Coming off of their AFC Championship appearance, the Chiefs offense remained elite. Recently, however, WR Tyreek Hill was traded away to the Dolphins in exchange for 5 draft picks, two of which were a first and second-rounder. In the draft, the Chiefs drafted CB Trent McDuffie, Charvius Ward’s replacement, DE George Karlaftis, WR Skyy Moore, and S Bryan Cook, in the first round for the first two and the second round for the latter. The Chiefs also signed WR JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency. He is coming off an injury but has
been good in the past. They also signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, another receiver who was very solid for the Packers. Their receiving core did get worse, but Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes, and he will find a way no matter what is given to him. The Chiefs also signed Justin Reid to replace Tyrann Mathieu in order to get younger at the safety position. Also, the Chiefs tagged tackle Orlando Brown, locking him up for atleast another year. All in all, the Chiefs had a great draft and are definitely still the top dog in the wild AFC West.
Broncos Free Agency and Draft
The Broncos were very active this offseason. They began by hiring a new head coach. They decided to hire former Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Rumors said that the Broncos were looking for an elite quarterback. Many said that the Broncos were attempting to trade for last year’s MVP Aaron Rodgers to reunite him with Hackett. While this rumor did not come true, one came to fruition when the Broncos made a block buster trade for Russel Wilson and a 4th round pick. Wilson is elite and will definitely vault the Broncos into contention. In exchange, the Broncos gave up a first round pick this year, a second and a third next year, QB Drew Lock, TE Noah Fant, and DE Shelby Harris. Noah Fant and Shelby Harris are very good players. The Broncos also signed Dallas OLB Randy Gregory to a 5 year deal. Gregory is a very good player. Their defense will remain elite and they should be very good. Their will definitely be a transition period with all the new staff and personnel, but if the Broncos can sort that out quickly, there is no telling how far they will go next season.
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