Chiefs definitively prove Tyreek Hill trade was the right move

January 8, 2023 ndowd

As it turns out, the Kansas City Chiefs offense was just fine after they traded wide receiver Tyreek Hill this past offseason.

The Kansas City Chiefs were written off before the 2022 season began. The AFC West had supposedly gotten better in terms of overall talent, and the Chiefs did have one big loss this offseason. After failing to agree to terms on a new contract, the Chiefs opted to trade wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, and immediately agreed to terms on a four-year, $120 million contract.

Could Kansas City’s offense replicate the success they’ve had in the past with Hill? The answer, was yes.

Sheil Kapadia of The Ringer points out that the Chiefs finish the 2022 regular-season first in expected points added (EPA) per drive by a wide margin between themselves and the second-ranked team. Not only that, but the Chiefs are ranked first in success rate and in points per game.

Chiefs offense finishes regular season 1st in EPA per drive by a wide margin.

Difference between them and No. 2 is same as difference between Nos. 2 and 18.

First in success rate and first in points per game.

All of this in the first season after trading away Tyreek Hill.

— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) January 8, 2023

Even after trading Tyreek Hill, Chiefs offense is experiencing similar success

Let’s take a look at the average offensive yards and points per game in 2021 and 2022, via ESPN:

2021: 396.8 yards per game (third in NFL), 28.2 points per game (fourth)
2022: 413.6 yards per game (first), 29.2 points per game (first)

In regards to the trade, it worked out for both Kansas City and Miami.

The Dolphins brought in Hill to be one of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s primary targets in the passing game. He has proven to be just that in Miami, as he caught 117-of-165 targets for 1,687 yards and seven touchdowns.

As for Kansas City, the Chiefs utilized a variety of wide receivers and running backs in the passing attack. It certainly helps that they have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, who can uncork some incredible throws and extend plays with his legs.

JuJu Smith-Schuster led all wide receivers with 78 receptions and 933 receiving yards. As for who has the most receiving touchdowns on the team, its unsurprisingly tight end Travis Kelce with 12. The second-most receiving touchdowns belong to running back Jerrick McKinnon, who caught nine.

Even without Hill on the roster, the Chiefs offense did just fine in 2022.

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