Here’s what the Kansas City Chiefs must do this offseason to bounce back

Get Eric Berry right, and sign a suitable backup

This may be cheating, putting two in one, but they are tied to each other. Eric Berry wasn’t able to make his season debut until the middle of December. The star safety was dealing with offseason Achilles injuries and an ankle injury that came up during his season’s rehab. This isn’t the first injury he’s faced, and that’s ignoring his Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis in 2014.

Berry might be the second most popular Chiefs player behind Mahomes. He’s a consummate professional, and someone the entire league loves. He’s just that kind of player, which is rare for a position like safety.

The Chiefs aren’t going to cut Berry, there’s literally no chance. He still has four years left on his contract, and cutting him would cost $28 million against the cap next season. In lamest terms, he’s not going anywhere.

When Berry was out, the Chiefs started Eric Murray. He was fine, and filled the role with the same exact amount of excitement. He was fine. The Chiefs need someone who’s better than fine, because without a fully healthy Berry, it’s clear this is a much worse defense.

Berry turns 30 next season, but he’s finally be healed from his torn Achilles. They need someone who’s a very good contingency plan, but the Chiefs will expect the best of Berry next season. He’ll be playing for his job, because the Chiefs have an out to his contract in 2020. That could bring out the best in Berry, and that only means great things for this team.