The Kansas City Chiefs are being pegged for a rough 2026, and the outlook gets even more striking if that season ends up being Travis Kelce’s last ride.
Steven Cheah of Barstool Sports has the Chiefs finishing 6-11, a mark that would leave them tied for last in the AFC West with the Las Vegas Raiders. In Cheah’s projection, the Broncos take the division at 13-4, while the Chargers also reach the postseason at 10-7.
That prediction comes after a 2025 season that ended in disappointment for Kansas City. The Chiefs missed the playoffs, their first postseason absence since 2014, which was the second-longest playoff streak in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December, and the team’s run came to a stop.
Even with that backdrop, plenty around the league expect Kansas City to bounce back in 2026. Cheah doesn’t see it that way.
As for Kelce, he’s made clear he still believes he has plenty left. “I’ve still got a lot of love for this game,” Kelce said earlier this offseason.
“I want to go out there and prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year. That’s probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I’m accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I’m out there.”
Kelce also pointed to the broader standard he wants from the offense. “[Just] being more accountable when the ball is in the air,” Kelce said.
“There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guy so we can spring guys for bigger gains.
And just being a better leader. “When we get stuck with adversity hitting, who’s going to want to be in that foxhole with you.
I want to be one of those guys everybody counts on to get us out of that foxhole.”
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