Chiefs 2023 special teams preview: Field goals and extra points

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down what fans should expect from the #Chiefs’ field goal unit in 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ field goal kicking squad got off to a rough start in 2022, but things got back on track by the time the postseason came around.

The team hopes to carry that positive momentum into 2023 as it retains a healthy Harrison Butker, who has been a reliable kicker for the Chiefs since 2017.

Butker will have a handful of new guys blocking for him in 2023, but fans should expect that blocking squad to remain a brick wall like last year. Let’s take a look at who will be blocking for Butker this season, and who has been replaced.

Chiefs 2023 special teams preview: Field goal and extra point blocking

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down what fans should expect from the #Chiefs’ field goal and extra point block units in 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs were one of 10 teams in 2022 to block zero field goals or extra points.

A few players came close, including defensive end George Karlaftis and cornerback Chris Lammons, but nobody was able to bat away a kick. In 2023, the team hopes to change that.

The Chiefs’ 2023 field goal/extra point blocking subunit will have quite a few new players due to some roster turnover.

Let’s look at who will be joining the squad, and who has left:

Chiefs 2023 special teams preview: Punt returns

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down what fans should expect from the #Chiefs’ punt return subunit in 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ punt return team was, quite frankly, bad last season.

That is, up until the postseason when receiver/returners Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney broke off game-changing returns in the AFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl, respectively.

Kansas City hopes to carry that momentum into 2023 with its punt return subunit, albeit with a different squad than last year’s. Several contributors on the Chiefs’ punt return squad are no longer on the roster entering 2023, meaning there’s potential for improvement.

Let’s look at who’s left and who’s back on the Chiefs’ punt return team, and who will be contributing for the very first time.

Chiefs 2023 special teams preview: Kickoff coverage

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down what fans should expect from the #Chiefs’ kickoff coverage team in 2023.

The Chiefs had a strong kickoff coverage subunit last season thanks to a mix of hungry rookies, experienced vets, and the leadership of special teams coordinator Dave Toub.

However, Kansas City’s kickoff lineup will be a bit different in 2023 due to an influx of new talent, which means the squad’s potential is now up in the air.

Let’s take a look at some of the newest projected contributors on the Chiefs’ kickoff coverage team, and who those new contributors will be replacing.

Chiefs 2023 special teams preview: Kick returns

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down what fans should expect on the #Chiefs’ kick returns in 2023.

The Chiefs’ kick return subunit used to consistently perform at a top-five level under special teams coordinator Dave Toub up until 2020.

Since then, Kansas City has struggled to find an above-average kick returner and surrounding squad to put up top-10 (sometimes top-16) numbers. 2022 was a middling year for the Chiefs’ kick return game, with the squad finishing 14th in kick return yards. Running back/returner Isiah Pacheco earned solid returns but ultimately finished 16th in average yards per return.

The Chiefs’ kick return game will look quite a bit different in 2023 with a new kick returner in Richie James plus a handful of new blockers. This means there’s potential for improvement, so this will be one squad to keep an eye on.

Let’s take a look at those returning to the Chiefs’ kick return subunit this season, and those who are projected to contribute for the first time.

Chiefs special teams review: Where did the unit rank during the 2022 NFL season?

Our @WesleyRoesch unveils his season-long review of the #Chiefs’ special teams unit with stats and superlatives.

2022 was a success for the Super Bowl LVII-winning Kansas City Chiefs, and special teams played partial role in that success despite some growing pains during the regular season.

When looking at the Chiefs’ special teams unit as a whole throughout the entirety of 2022, it took a step down compared to 2021. The team’s special teams ranked 16th in Football Outsiders’ special teams DVOA (playoffs included) in 2022, falling far below its second-place ranking in 2021.

So what changed to make the Chiefs go from a top-two squad to the middle of the pack? Several factors contributed to the drop, including:

  • Rookies: 11 made the team, with 10 playing significant special teams snaps. Many rookies played well, but there were still growing pains.
  • Fumbling issues: The Chiefs fumbled the ball seven times on returns, losing five of them.
  • Field goal inconsistency: Injuries at the kicker position plus alleged holding issues led to inconsistency with field goals for most of the season.
  • Uncertainty at punt returner: The Chiefs used four different punt returners before settling on one as the team’s go-to guy.

Despite the initial challenges, the Chiefs’ special teams unit pulled it together and performed well down the stretch, especially during the postseason. It even had a few plays that were difference-makers in the Chiefs winning the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl.

With the 2022 season at a close, this final review will detail the performance of each Chiefs special teams subunit. All stats listed below cover the regular season and postseason (20 games total) unless noted. For snap counts, full player grades and more detailed stats, visit my Google Sheet and browse each of the tabs.

Chiefs special teams film review, Super Bowl LVII: Kadarius Toney’s game-changing punt return

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down the #Chiefs’ special teams performance in the Super Bowl LVII win over the #Eagles.

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions once again, and this time it was partially due to special teams play.

That’s not something anyone expected after the volatile season that coordinator Dave Toub’s unit had in 2022. Some of the Chiefs’ special teams subunits were downright bad during the regular season, with the punt return squad performing the worst.

However, it was the Chiefs’ punt return squad that put the team in position to take a larger lead against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII, just two weeks after it did the exact same thing in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals. So after all of this season’s trials and tribulations, the Chiefs’ punt return squad figured things out when it mattered most.

With our final Chiefs special teams film review of the 2022-23 season, we will highlight the astonishing fourth-quarter punt return by receiver/returner Kadarius Toney in Super Bowl 57. Following this review, be on the lookout for our final full-season Chiefs special teams review coming in the next couple of weeks, where I’ll dive further into the stats, snap counts and grades for individual players that I compiled during the season.

Chiefs special teams film review, AFC Championship Game: Skyy Moore gets redemption

Our @WesleyRoesch breaks down the #Chiefs’ special teams performance in the AFC Championship Game win over the #Bengals.

2022 hasn’t been a great year for the Chiefs’ special teams unit, which has been inconsistent and untrustworthy for most of the season.

So, naturally, the Chiefs’ special teams had what might have been its best performance of the entire season in the AFC Championship Game.

It’s the perfect time for the unit to peak and play its best ball. Kansas City’s special teams unit was absolutely crucial in the 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. All subunits put forth an incredible effort while not hindering the team at all, save for a couple of small errors.

This review will take a look at how each subunit contributed to the victory, and then will wrap up with a few extra notes. Additionally, make sure to view my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players via Google Sheets for a closer look at the unit’s performance.

Chiefs special teams film review, divisional round: The good, the bad, and the future

Our @WesleyRoesch reviews the good and bad from the #Chiefs’ special teams unit vs. the Jaguars, and notes how it can succeed in the AFCCG.

As has been the case for much of the 2022 season, the Chiefs’ special teams unit was a mixed bag in their 27-20 divisional round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Some things went right while some things went very wrong, but surprisingly it wasn’t the usual suspects who succeeded and struggled this past week. We’ll go into detail about the good and bad from the Chiefs’ special teams performance against the Jags, and then discuss how Kansas City can succeed on special teams in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In addition to this review, check out my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players via Google Sheets for a deeper look into the unit’s performance.

Chiefs special teams film review, Week 18: Appreciating rookie contributions

Our @WesleyRoesch goes to the film to highlight some #Chiefs rookie special teams performances from Week 18 and the entire 2022 regular season.

After a rough Week 17, the Chiefs’ special teams unit got back on track in Week 18 in a 31-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

It’s good that special teams could be hitting their stride heading into the playoffs because the Chiefs will need to see mistake-free football from all three phases in order to make a Super Bowl run. Kansas City’s special teams was indeed mistake-free in Week 18, with some good plays being made by a few of the team’s rookies.

This week’s review will highlight the Chiefs’ rookie contributions on special teams, particularly from a few high performers. Additionally, check out my special teams stats, snap counts and grades for individual players via Google Sheets for a deeper look into the unit’s performance.