AFC West Forecast 2024: One Move Every Team Should Make This Offseason
Once again, the AFC West is a simple breakdown: It’s the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and three teams trying to catch them.
This offseason, however, is a challenge for those three squads. The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are both over the projected salary cap. The Las Vegas Raiders have space but don’t have an answer at quarterback, while also needing to figure out the correct path with free-agent running back Josh Jacobs.
Then there’s the Chiefs, who have Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and a good chunk of cap space. Kansas City, though, does have significant free agents, making it tough to run back the same team in 2024.
So what should each team do this offseason? Let’s take a closer look.
Denver Broncos
Wilson and Bolles could both be released by the Broncos this offseason.
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One move every team should make: Release Garett Bolles.
Bolles has had an interesting career in Denver. After initially looking like a bust, he became a second-team All-Pro in 2020 but he’s since failed to match that level of play.
With the Broncos considerably over the cap and likely to incur a large cap charge of $85 million with the expected release of Russell Wilson, Denver needs to free up space. Releasing Bolles allows the Broncos to recoup $16 million, giving them more options across the roster.
But Denver needs a soft rebuild, and it needs to find a rookie quarterback who can be the future while also paring down the cap sheet, giving general manager George Paton more flexibility around said signal-caller. Otherwise, the Broncos will constantly be hamstrung while trying to ascend in a brutal conference, let alone catch the Chiefs in the AFC West.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sneed was snubbed from the All-Pro team but played at a high level, consistently traveling with and shutting down the opponent’s best receiver on a weekly basis.
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One move every team should make: Re-sign L’Jarius Sneed.
For the Chiefs, the story is normally about Patrick Mahomes. In 2023, it was the defense ascending to new heights, becoming a top-three unit in the league.
A huge part of the unit’s rise was Sneed, who in his fourth season became a superstar on the perimeter. Sneed was snubbed from the All-Pro team but played at a high level, consistently traveling with and shutting down the opponent’s best receiver on a weekly basis. Sneed also offers versatility and a diverse skill set, playing in the slot and outside while notching 60 solo tackles as an excellent run defender. Lastly, he’s an effective blitzer, with 13 quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks in his career.
General manager Brett Veach has cap space and although his defense has multiple high profile free agents, Sneed and Chris Jones are the standouts. While Jones might price himself out of Kansas City, the Chiefs can bring back Sneed, who will likely command around $15 million per year.
Las Vegas Raiders
Jones and the Chiefs failed to get a contract extension done before the 2023 season.
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One move every team should make: Sign Jones away from the Chiefs.
The Raiders have to make a statement, and signing Jones away from the Chiefs would certainly qualify.
For years, Las Vegas has been adrift with Maxx Crosby and little else defensively. Now with Antonio Pierce installed as coach, the Silver and Black’s identity should be defensive. Adding Jones on the interior alongside Crosby would be a boon not only to the front, but the entire team.
For starters, Jones immediately brings Super Bowl experience and someone with intimate knowledge of how to deal with Kansas City. He also brings Hall of Fame talent and someone to help Crosby in bringing along second-year edge rusher Tyree Wilson, who struggled as a rookie.
While Jones wouldn’t make the Raiders title contenders, he would give them a formidable pass rush and someone who can help change the culture. Considering the franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2002 season, that’s worth plenty by itself.
Los Angeles Chargers
In eight seasons, Bosa has played in more than 12 games just three times.
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One move every team should make: Trade Joey Bosa.
The Chargers are starting anew with Jim Harbaugh coming in as head coach, and it’s time to clear the decks a bit. Bosa has been terrific when he’s healthy. The problem? He’s never healthy. In eight seasons, Bosa has played in more than 12 games just three times.
Los Angeles faces a cap crunch this offseason, sitting $45.8 million over the projected cap. The Chargers also have four massive numbers of more than $30 million to contend with on their sheet, including Khalil Mack, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Bosa. New general manager Joe Hortiz would be wise to amass draft capital in exchange for his aging, expensive veterans.
If Hortiz trades Bosa after June 1, he would gain $22 million in cap savings while taking on $14.6 million in dead money. He would also likely get a nice haul of picks for Bosa, who would only count against the cap for $15 million and $17 million, respectively, over the remainder of his contract for the acquiring team.
