07 April 2023 , 22:43
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Patrick Mahomes has been given a new speedster receiver on his explosive Kansas City Chiefs offense - snapping up free agent Richie James.
After losing Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins last season, the Chiefs had struggled to find a speedy receiver to help them stretch the field.
Instead the Chiefs changed their offense on their way to Super Bowl glory, with Mahomes having less of an onus to get the ball downfield in one deep throw, choosing to work the ball up the field with short-yardage throws to open receivers.
It was a recipe that worked perfectly, as Mahomes looked back to his best and went on to lead the Chiefs to a second Lombardi Trophy in four seasons. However, the lack of deep-threat speed was a miss in the team.
And although no signing will replace the calibre of player that Hill had been, new signing James could be used in that similar role.
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It was announced on Friday evening that the Chiefs had signed James, after the best season of his career with 57 catches, 569 yards and four touchdowns for the New York Giants.
A player who is primarily been used as a deep-threat receiver, James fills an area of need for the Chiefs, and could be a vital cog in certain offensive formations this upcoming season - as a player to stretch the field, aiding superstar tight end Travis Kelce in the open field.
Richie James quietly had an excellent season with the Giants last yearThe Chiefs struggled at wide receiver this past season, with Mecole Hardman, JuJu Smith-Schuster leading the way in yards, and both departing this off-season.
James will join Marques Valdes-Scantling, another former Giant in Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, as the Chiefs retool on offense once again - while the NFL Draft, held in Kansas City later this month, will also offer a number of intriguing options.
The aforementioned Kelce shouldered much of the receiving load last season, with he and Mahomes now combining for 61 touchdowns in the last five seasons, more than any other duo in the league in that time.
Mahomes will enter the new season with another new-look arsenal of weapons, but also looking to become just the sixth quarterback in NFL history to win a third Super Bowl.