After a season that felt more like a stumble than a step forward, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads. The drop-off was steep-going from 15 wins in 2024 to just six in 2025-and it’s the kind of fall that would send most franchises into full-blown panic mode. But Kansas City isn’t most franchises.
This is still the team that’s played in five of the last six Super Bowls, the team led by a head coach with a Hall of Fame résumé in Andy Reid and a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who, when healthy, is the most impactful player in the NFL. So yes, even after a 6-11 campaign, belief in the Chiefs hasn’t evaporated-it’s just become a little more conditional.
That belief showed up again in ESPN’s early 2026 power rankings, where the Chiefs landed at No. 12 overall. Now, considering they finished 12th in the AFC standings this past season-well outside the playoff picture-that’s a generous projection. It’s a nod to their pedigree, no doubt, but also a recognition that this team, even bruised and battered, still has the bones of a contender.
But make no mistake: this offseason is going to be pivotal. The kind of pivotal that could define the next five years of the franchise.
Start with Mahomes. He’s recovering from a serious knee injury, and there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to go when the 2026 season kicks off.
That alone is enough to raise eyebrows. Without him at full strength, the Chiefs’ margin for error shrinks dramatically.
Then there’s the Travis Kelce question. He’s hinted at retirement before, and even if he returns, he’ll be 37.
That’s asking a lot from a tight end who’s already logged a Hall of Fame workload.
On the other side of the ball, the concerns are just as real. Chris Jones remains a force up front, but he’s not getting younger, and the supporting cast around him isn’t exactly loaded with proven pass-rushers.
The defense could take a hit in free agency, too, with key contributors like Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, and Jaylen Watson all set to test the market. That’s a lot of uncertainty for a unit that already struggled to generate consistent pressure and takeaways.
That puts a ton of weight on general manager Brett Veach and the front office. If they can thread the needle-nailing the draft, making smart free-agent moves, and maybe finding a few diamonds in the rough-the Chiefs could quickly bounce back.
We've seen teams like the Seahawks and Patriots make big leaps with the right offseason moves. But if Kansas City misses on a few key decisions?
It could be another long year.
The Chiefs have earned the benefit of the doubt over the last half-decade. That’s why they’re still getting preseason respect, even after a down year.
But belief, even in a dynasty, has a shelf life. And if 2026 doesn’t bring a return to form, the NFL landscape may finally start to shift away from Kansas City’s shadow.