The Kansas City Chiefs suffered a disappointing end to a promising 2014 season, but there's still plenty to be excited about with just a few days to go until the 2015 preseason kicks off. Here are three things we learned about them this offseason:
3) It's now or never for Alex Smith
This will be the third year for Smith in this offensive system, which is the year that things usually click or don't for a franchise quarterback. With a new weapon in Jeremy Maclin and the team's running game primed to have another big year, this is the year where Smith needs to take the full leap and push the Chiefs over the top.
2) Travis Kelce's progression
Kelce was already one hell of a weapon in 2014, catching 67 passes for 862 yards and 5 touchdowns. However, in order for the aforementioned Smith to ascend into the elite QB stratosphere, Kelce may very well have to up his game even further and assert himself as a top-three or top-five tight end. He's got all the tools to so, and his success in 2015 could go hand in hand with that of the Chiefs' offense as a whole.
1) New dedication to the passing game
The 2014 Chiefs were the first team in a half century to finish a season with no touchdowns caught by a wide receiver. Unequivocally the biggest area of weakness for an otherwise champonship-level team, Andy Reid and the Chiefs' brass had a major rebuilding task on their hands heading into offseason. They did just that, parting ways with the underachieving Dwayne Bowe and upgrading to 2014 breakout star Jeremy Maclin. Keep an eye out for Chris Conley, as the 2015 third-round pick has all the makings of a draft steal.
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