The Kansas City Chiefs just wrapped up a season that, by their recent standards, felt like a gut punch. A 6-11 finish and no playoff berth-for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era-wasn’t just a stumble, it was a full-on derailment.
And now, as the team looks ahead to 2026, the question isn't just if they can bounce back. It's how.
It starts, of course, with Mahomes.
The star quarterback went down in December with a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, a brutal injury that required immediate surgery and ended his season on the spot. The good news?
He’s already rehabbing in Kansas City and plans to be ready in time for the season opener in September. If there’s any quarterback you’d bet on to come back strong from a major injury, it’s Mahomes.
But even his return might not be enough to singlehandedly lift the Chiefs back to the top of the AFC.
That’s the sentiment echoed in early 2026-27 power rankings, where NFL analysts have Kansas City slotted all the way down at No. 20. That’s unfamiliar territory for a franchise that’s spent the better part of a decade as a perennial Super Bowl contender.
As analyst Maurice Moton pointed out, the last time the Chiefs missed the postseason before 2025 was back in 2014-when Alex Smith was still under center. A lot has changed since then, but now Kansas City finds itself in a very different kind of transition.
Moton didn’t mince words: “The Chiefs may not come roaring back to win the AFC West title in 2026.” That’s not to say they’re out of the fight, but it’s clear the road back to dominance is longer than usual this time around.
One of the biggest concerns? The supporting cast.
There’s talk of Travis Kelce returning for his 14th season, but even with the future Hall of Famer in the fold, the Chiefs need more from their skill positions-especially at running back and wide receiver. The offense leaned heavily on Mahomes' magic in recent years, and with him coming off a major injury, that formula may not be sustainable.
If the front office can clear some cap space, expect them to be aggressive in adding a top-tier running back-someone who can help carry the load and take pressure off Mahomes as he works his way back into rhythm. The Chiefs have always been at their best when the offense is balanced, and that balance has been missing lately.
So yes, the Chiefs are entering unfamiliar territory. They’re not the hunted right now-they’re the ones looking to climb back. And while early rankings don’t mean everything, they do reflect something: this team has work to do.
But if history tells us anything, it’s that counting out Mahomes and the Chiefs is a risky bet. They’ve been here before-maybe not quite like this, but close enough to know what it takes to fight their way back. The 2026 season may start with questions, but don’t be surprised if it ends with answers.