“Are they getting back to that?” That’s the burning question Shannon Sharpe posed on the Nightcap show, wondering if Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs would recapture their explosive vertical passing game with new additions like Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Xavier Worthy. Well, Mahomes himself has given a declaration that should have the Arrowhead faithful buzzing with excitement.

For Mahomes, the 2023 season was a paradox – a Super Bowl triumph overshadowed by an offense that seemed to sputter at times during the regular season grind. But those inconsistencies are about to become a thing of the past, as the quarterback has put the NFL on notice with a resounding declaration: “We want to get back to the deep game.”

It’s a strategic shift that channels the adrenaline-fueled “bombs over Baghdad” days when Tyreek Hill could blow the roof off any defense with his blistering speed. And this time, Mahomes has some new field-stretching weapons in  Brown and Worthy.

While Shannon Sharpe wondered if the Chiefs could truly recreate that same explosive dynamic without Hill’s singular talents, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson offered a reasoned take. “I love Hollywood Brown. I love Xavier Worthy, but they’re not Tyreek Hill…There’s so many other variables that go into playing the game of receiver.”

Indeed, simply having burners on the roster doesn’t automatically equate to an aerial onslaught. As Mahomes stated to the pressers recently, “We’ve done a great job of mastering the intermediate and short stuff.” However, if Brown and Worthy can sync up with the quarterback’s gunslinger mentality while mastering Andy Reid’s nuanced scheme, opposing defenses could be in for long nights, as Reid is “really pushing us to push it down the field.”

The early returns have been tantalizing, with cornerback Trent McDuffie gushing to reporters, “Man, [the offense] is rolling. Pat [Mahomes] is just back there throwing it deep play after play.” For a unit that ranked 15th in scoring and 9th in total yards last year, this vertical dimension could recapture their elite status, especially after Bleacher Report ranked Kansas City’s offense 2nd heading into 2024.

Hollywood Brown and Worthy ushering in a new “Need for Speed” era for Patrick Mahomes

While Brown and Worthy may not possess Hill’s complete skillset, they bring a different brand of fear to opposing defensive coordinators. As Johnson noted, “Now we’re just comparing the two because of the speed.” And with Worthy’s blistering 4.21 and Brown’s 4.27 times, this new tandem boasts elite wheels.

But as Johnson emphasized, can these two speedsters master the intricacies of Reid’s renowned system? If they can complement their speed with strong route-running and become multi-level threats, Mahomes’ rocket arm will have no trouble reconnecting Kansas City’s vertical assault.

The pieces are in place for an explosive rebirth, with the “bombs over Baghdad” mentality embraced once again. With a receiving corps built for taking the top off defenses, opposing coaches may need to dust off those classic “Need for Speed” game strategies to contain this Chiefs juggernaut.

And let’s not forget Travis Kelce, who Pro Football Focus sees primed for a “bounce-back” campaign after an injury-plagued 2023. If the veteran tight end can return to form as Mahomes’ go-to guy, complementing the dual deep threats of Brown and Worthy, good luck trying to “cover all areas” against this multi-dimensional attack.

Just like Tom Cruise taunted in “Top Gun”, the Chiefs seem to be asking defenders: “Your ego writing checks your body can’t cash?” If their new need for speed pays off, it may cash in another Lombardi Trophy for Kansas City.