Chiefs Face a New Reality: No Playoffs, No Crown, and a Whole Lot of Questions
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs are waking up to a December that doesn’t involve playoff seeding talk or visions of another AFC West crown. Sunday’s 16-13 loss to the Chargers didn’t just sting-it snapped a streak that defined the franchise's modern identity.
No division title. No postseason.
And for the first time in 12 years, real uncertainty about whether we’ve seen the last of Travis Kelce in a Chiefs uniform.
This isn’t just a bad week-it’s a seismic shift. The Chiefs have been the model of consistency for so long that anything short of a Super Bowl run feels like failure.
Now? The dynasty is on pause.
And with Patrick Mahomes sidelined due to a torn ACL, the conversation has shifted from playoff scenarios to long-term planning. What’s next for this team?
How do they get back to being the team no one wants to face in January?
A Different Kind of December
There are still three games left on the schedule-against the Titans, Broncos, and Raiders-and while the playoff hopes are officially dead, these matchups carry more weight than they might seem at first glance. Whether the Chiefs finish 9-8 or 6-11 will have real implications for their draft positioning. That’s not nothing.
A top-10 pick could mean a shot at a blue-chip pass rusher, a disruptive defensive tackle, or a dynamic running back-positions where Kansas City could use an infusion of talent. On the flip side, finishing closer to .500 would likely drop them into the mid-round range, where the approach becomes more about best player available than addressing a specific need.
But draft strategy is just part of the story. These next three games are also about evaluation-and that starts with the roster.
The Auditions Begin
With Mahomes out and the postseason out of reach, the Chiefs are essentially entering a mini-preseason in December. That’s not a knock-it’s a real opportunity.
There are young players on this roster who haven’t seen much action in 2025, whether due to depth chart hierarchy, injuries, or just circumstance. Now, they’ll get their shot.
These aren’t meaningless snaps. For fringe roster players, rookies, and second-year guys looking to solidify their spot, this is the time to show they belong. It’s a chance to put something on tape, to prove to the coaching staff-and the front office-that they should be part of the 2026 plans.
We’ve seen this before in other contexts: late-season games where the stars rest and the backups get a chance to shine. This is the inverse.
The stars are sidelined by injury or wear-and-tear, and the young guns are being handed the keys. It’s not about mailing it in-it’s about building the next wave of contributors.
Veterans at a Crossroads
While the young players are fighting for their future, the veterans are facing a different kind of decision. Travis Kelce has been the heartbeat of this offense for over a decade, but with his future uncertain, it’s fair to ask: Have we seen the last of him in red and gold?
If Kelce is even considering a return in 2026, the smart move would be to limit his snaps-or shut it down entirely. There’s nothing to gain by risking injury in a lost season.
The same goes for Chris Jones, who briefly exited Sunday’s game with a hamstring issue. He’s a foundational piece, and if he’s not 100%, there’s no reason to push it.
These final games should be a reset for the vets-a chance to rest, recover, and reflect. If the Chiefs want to make another serious run next year, they’ll need their stars healthy and refreshed. That starts now.
The Long View
This season didn’t go the way anyone in Kansas City hoped. The offense sputtered, the defense battled inconsistency, and now the face of the franchise is recovering from a major injury. But even in disappointment, there’s opportunity.
Andy Reid and the coaching staff-whoever remains after the inevitable offseason shakeups-can use these next few weeks to take stock of everything. What worked?
What didn’t? Who’s ready for a bigger role, and who might be on the way out?
This is where the next chapter begins. Not in April, not in training camp, but right now.
The Chiefs have a rare chance to evaluate their roster in live action without the pressure of chasing a playoff berth. It’s not the ending they wanted-but it could be the beginning of something new.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s that counting out Kansas City is never a good idea.