The roster as it stands

[OKchiefs]

The roster clearly isn't as strong as it has been in recent years, at least prior to the draft.

However, looking at the roster situation of other AFCW teams they are likely going to follow a similar path in a year or two. Overthecap currently has the Chargers at $8.6 million in 2023 cap space prior to the draft. That number doesn't include Derwin James and Justin Herbert will be extension eligible after this year. Tillery, Adderly, and Tranquill are other starters that are UFA. They're going to be in a cap crunch in short order, they only have 29 players under contract for 2023 and little cap room.

Denver has around $16 million, but it's also a given that Russell Wilson will need to be signed to a huge extension as 2023 is the last year of his contract and he's only set to make $27 million. Bradley Chubb is also a free agent.

LV might seemingly be in the best cap situation, but they also only have 21 players under contract for next year and Carr is a free agent. Good luck paying that sack of shit $40+ million a year as his market will command. Waller probably also needs a new contract, and overall their roster still isn't that great even with Carr, Adams, and Waller. We've also seen that WR can fall off fast after 30, so good luck in LA and LV with both Adams and Allen set to turn 30 this year.

Even if KC should fall out of the lead in the AFCW in 2022, I think the fall is short lived. Once Wilson, Herbert, and Carr are all on contracts equaling or surpassing Mahomes in 1-2 years we're going to see all 3 teams fall back to Earth with KC entering their second window within 2 years. Chargers in particular had better take advantage this year because that window is going to be a short one.