Yes. Best player on our team.
Exactly right. And an element the Chiefs really miss.
I can hear someone now “what do you mean they miss him? They just won the SB a few days ago and now 2 in a row WITHOUT him?”
Yes they did. But anybody that actually followed the NFL in depth, and especially the Chiefs, realize how much more explosive they were offensively (before that trade) and how close they came to NOT winning this season and last. Had they still had Tyreek, they may not have struggled as much and had an easier path to winning.
Let’s be real. The Chiefs offense struggled most the season. And they struggled mightily in the SB, too. If not for the unforced and lucky turnover that changed the game, it’s very doubtful the Chiefs would have won on Sunday (or in several other games this past season). Part of the reason is their offense is now mediocre sans Mahomes and sometimes Kelce.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have become, arguably, the top offensive in the league the past 2 seasons. In 2023 they led the league in total yards and passing yards, and were #6 in rushing yards and #2 in scoring.
What held them back was health on the offensive line, and defensively.
I’d make the argument that given the same health as KC on the offensive line, if you swapped KC’s defense with Miami’s defense — the Dolphins would have won the SB. Or at least seriously would have threatened to win it.
There’s no way I can undersell the impact of Tyreek Hill or the trade because the Dolphins defense wasn’t near as good as the Chiefs nor did they come close to the same level of health and consistency on the offensive line.
Those two things really were the difference as far as I can tell.
Now, if the Dolphins have a capable and relatively healthy line and their defense performs anywhere close to the same level as the Chiefs next season and they don’t win or seriously threaten to win the SB — then I’ll declare the Dolphins a loser in that trade.
But right now? No chance. They’re fielding a top offense. If they get their act together defensively and finally receive some luck health wise — the narrative will suddenly change with most lauding that trade, along with the Tunsil trade that set the table as well.