We’re just hours away from Super Bowl LVIII where the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will face one another for the second time in four years on the NFL’s biggest stage.
The Chiefs are looking to be the first franchise since the 2003-04 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. There are former New York Giants in the Chiefs organization, most noticeably defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo who was the mastermind in New York defeating the 18-0 Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.
Then there’s receivers Richie James and Kadarius Toney, who we’ll just say are not held in high regards amongst Giants fans.
The Chiefs have several players who will become free agents after Sunday and a few of them will surely be on general manager Joe Schoen’s radar. Schoen won’t look to acquire the free agents that will have a high price tag because the team has several holes to fill, but rather acquire inexpensive players that can fill a role in 2024. Here’s a look at three of those players.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
If the Giants elect not to bring back Saquon Barkley, one of the veteran running backs that will be on their radar is Clyde Edwards-Helaire. With Isiah Pacheco the workhorse in Kansas City’s backfield, it’s unlikely they’ll put a priority on re-signing Helaire.
New York likes familiarity and Edwards-Helaire has that with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka from their time together with the Chiefs from 2020 and 2021. Although he had a career low in rushing yards and yards per carry this season, a change of scenery might be just what he needs to revitalize his career.
He’ll turn 25 in April, and the hope is that he can resemble the player he was as a rookie when he had 1,100 all-purpose yards and five total touchdowns. He is a versatile back who can make plays in both the run and passing games.
If New York decides to sign him, the expectation wouldn’t be for him to be the workhorse but to be part of a running back by committee with Eric Gray.
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Nick Allegretti could help patch up New York Giants’ line
New York’s offensive line was once again a major issue with the team, particularly the interior, as they struggled mightily all season. The team will certainly add an offensive guard in the draft, but they will also look to add a veteran offensive guard in free agency.
Allegretti would be an ideal fit as he’s a reliable guard who would be expensive to acquire. Although he’s a backup with the Chiefs and only started four regular season games in the last two years, he filled in well for left guard Joe Thuney in the AFC Championship game against the Ravens. Allegretti has allowed only one sack in 51 pass-blocking snaps this season.
With Thuney ruled out for the Super Bowl, if Allegretti has a solid performance against the 49ers defensive front it will give general manager Joe Schoen added motivation to acquire the 27-year-old guard.
Jerick McKinnon
Edwards-Helaire isn’t the only Chiefs running back set to become a free agent, as Jerick McKinnon will also be an unrestricted free agent. A groin injury limited him to just 12 games this season, but he was effective in 2022, where he had 803 all-purpose yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
He was primarily used on third downs this season and caught 25 passes for 192 yards and four touchdowns. All the reasons why Helaire should be on the Giants radar also applies to McKinnon. But the difference is McKinnon will turn 32 in May which means if he’s signed it will likely be on a one-year deal.