In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense needed a vertical threat; superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted the league’s sixth-lowest intended air yards per attempt.
Of course, part of that comes from NFL defenses adopting two-high safety looks against offenses like Kansas City’s. But it’s also true that after trading wideout Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, the Chiefs have been facing zone coverage less often; teams have been willing to play Cover 1, thereby daring Kansas City to beat them over the top. For the most of last season, the Chiefs couldn’t do that.