Chiefs dynasty hits rock bottom and these 4 moves must follow

Here’s a phrase I didn’t think I’d be saying four months ago: The Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated from the playoffs two weeks before Christmas. Crazy, right?

Kansas City’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday extinguished the team’s playoff hopes, bringing to an end a run of 10 straight postseasons, nine consecutive AFC West titles, seven conference championship games in a row, and three straight Super Bowls.

The 2025 season will be seen as a failure, and rightfully so. But that doesn’t mean it has to be a waste. With the Chiefs being knocked out of the postseason, they should turn their attention to these four ideas so they can at least take some initial steps toward reloading a dynasty.

1. Give Brashard Smith more of a role at running back

Kansas City selected Brashard Smith as a flyer with a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft.

A former wide receiver converted to halfback, he was seen as a skillful, high-upside, developmental player. Smith has great hands and speed, so he fits well as a screen option or a receiver out of the backfield—something the Chiefs love to utilize. But can he actually run the ball as well? It’s time to find out.

Understandably, the Chiefs have been hesitant to use Smith in a traditional running back role. He’s been given very few “classic” running back reps up the middle—plays like dives, counters, or power runs—and he’s rarely on the field in pass-blocking situations. So can he do it? Let’s see.

Running back is the weakest positional group on Kansas City’s roster. Kareem Hunt is fine but limited, Isiah Pacheco has been frustratingly underwhelming, Clyde Edwards-Helaire clearly is not an answer, and Elijah Mitchell hasn’t played. The RB room should be a top priority this offseason, so where will Smith fit into it?

If this season becomes all about next year, Smith should get more snaps, even on traditional running plays from here on out—not just on outside tosses and quick passes. Let’s see if he can be used on runs up the middle, if he can explode through a hole in the interior, and if he can stand in there and pick up a blitz when needed. He needs experience to learn these skills and improve, so give him that experience now.

Smith had two rushes against L.A. The first was a short toss to the right from the shotgun on second-and-eight that went for two yards. The second was the exact same play, again to the right, that lost a yard in the red zone. Neither play moved the needle, and neither showed anything different from how we’ve seen Smith used.

Kansas City should look to use Hunt less from now on to try and limit unnecessary wear and tear on the 30-year-old running back and instead give more of his snaps—and more up-the-middle runs—to Smith.

The Chiefs need to know if Smith is going to be part of the solution moving forward, or if he’s going to be limited to a gadget-type and special teams role. Let’s see what he’s got over the next three games.

2. Increased roles for young players

Similar to Brashard Smith, if this season becomes about looking toward the future rather than the playoffs, the development of younger players should become a priority. Nohl Williams, Jaden Hicks, Jaylen Royals, and Esa Pole are all players I’d like to see get more playing time.

Williams showed plenty of promising signs in the first half of his rookie season in a secondary that has, at times, looked ordinary and lacked depth. But surprisingly, he played just seven defensive snaps over a three-game stretch from Weeks 11–13. Fortunately, that number jumped to 62 snaps against the Texans and 66 snaps—100 percent—against the Chargers.

Kansas City’s defense looks better with Williams on the field, and hopefully, his playing time against Houston and L.A. is a sign he’ll be out there more.

I think Hicks makes the Chiefs’ defense better too, but his playing time has also been sporadic and questionably low. Hicks has played 15 snaps or fewer in five of the last six weeks, although he did log 60 snaps against Dallas. I don’t understand why he’s on the bench when players ahead of him, like Chamarri Conner and Mike Edwards, are playing so poorly—Conner in particular.

What about getting a look at a pass-catching option? Royals hasn’t been active since Week 7, and the rookie wide receiver hasn’t had a single offensive snap in 2025. Andy Reid has always been reluctant to incorporate rookie wide receivers heavily, but a doomed season might be the perfect opportunity to introduce him into the system and give his development a jump-start.

I’m not saying he should be targeted five times a game, but why not at least give him some snaps on offense and actually see him run some routes? With Tyquan Thornton likely sidelined with injury, now is the perfect time to see Royals in action.

And Esa Pole delivered possibly the biggest surprise performance of the season, shining at left tackle against Houston after coming in on just the second snap of the game. He backed that up with another solid performance against L.A. in his first career NFL start.

Given Kansas City’s injuries along the offensive line, he’s likely to continue seeing playing time, which is a good thing. It is highly unlikely that Pole will become a starter. But if he can be a reliable backup or a potential swing tackle, that’s a good thing too. With Wanya Morris’s contract set to expire this offseason and the likely departure of Jawaan Taylor, Pole could prove to be a valuable depth piece. Let’s see what he can do.

3. Leave a starter on the bench

I think I’ve seen enough of Jawaan Taylor. With the Chiefs eliminated from the playoffs, there’s no need to see him back on the field again. I don’t like saying that about players, especially when they are battling injuries, but at some point, enough is enough. I think we are at that point.

Taylor has been decent to good as a right tackle, but the nonstop penalties have been a killer. The third-year Chief has been flagged 10 times this season, tied for the second-most in the NFL. In what will come as no surprise to anyone, Taylor has drawn the most illegal formation penalties in the league.

Taylor has one year remaining on his contract after 2025, but he is almost certainly going to be cut. He is owed $19,500,000 next year, but the Chiefs would take a dead-cap hit of just $7,391,667 if they release him, which is likely to happen.

The writing seems to be on the wall with this one, so what is the point of playing Taylor if the season is finished and you know he won’t be on your roster next year? Jaylon Moore is under contract for next season and seems like Kansas City’s starting right tackle in waiting. There is no long-term value in seeing Taylor out there.

There could, however, be some value in seeing Chukwuebuka Godrick at tackle. Godrick has a chance to audition to stay on the roster for next season, so let’s see what he’s got. Maybe he’ll be an offensive line depth piece moving forward.

Godrick, you, me—anyone who plays at right tackle other than Taylor gives Kansas City information. Hopefully that’s what happens.

4. Don't take any injury risks

The Chiefs have been decimated by injuries this year, and none have been more devastating than Patrick Mahomes' ACL injury that he suffered on Sunday. With the playoffs out of the equation, now is the time for Kansas City to be overly cautious with any injury concerns.

Chris Jones, Moore, Thornton, and Nick Bolton were all down at various points against L.A. If there are any lingering questions about their health status, don’t play them.

The same goes for Rashee Rice (hamstring), Xavier Worthy (ankle), and Trent McDuffie (knee), who have all been dealing with niggling injuries as well. If there are questions about whether they are fully fit, just rest them.

There is no point in rushing back hurt offensive linemen either. The Chiefs should shelve their left tackle of the future, Josh Simmons (wrist), and the league’s highest-paid guard, Trey Smith (ankle), for the rest of the season as well.

The Chiefs have already suffered one catastrophic injury that will carry over into next year. They do not want to add another star player to that list. There is nothing left to gain from this season, so why take the risk?

It is better to be safe than sorry.