For much of the past year, a familiar narrative has followed the Kansas City Chiefs: the dynasty is dead. That belief only intensified after a 6–11 finish in 2025, a jarring outcome for a franchise that had defined sustained excellence for nearly a decade. For a fan base accustomed to annual division titles, deep playoff runs, and championship expectations, the season felt almost unrecognizable.
This is, after all, the same Chiefs team that, under Patrick Mahomes, won nine consecutive AFC West titles from 2016 through 2024, reached seven straight AFC Championship Games, and captured three Super Bowl victories. But context matters, and a closer look suggests the warning signs may have been present long before the standings reflected them.
The historic 2024 season, in hindsight, may have been closer to fool’s gold than dominance. Kansas City finished 15–2 during the regular season, but an eye-popping 11–0 record in one-score games drove that success. That level of fortune is nearly impossible to replicate. In 2025, the pendulum swung violently in the opposite direction: the Chiefs went 1–9 in one-score contests. Same roster foundation. Very different outcomes. A tale of two seasons.
Unsurprisingly, frustration followed. Some of it, rather incredibly, was directed at Andy Reid. The notion that a Hall of Fame coach simply forgot how to coach football is absurd. The reality is more complex. The Chiefs were already playing uneven football well before Mahomes suffered a devastating ACL and LCL injury in Week 15. That injury merely exposed structural weaknesses that winning had long concealed. Sustained success can mask flaws—until it can’t.
Offensive Regression and Roster Strain
Even prior to Mahomes’ injury, the offense lacked the efficiency and explosiveness that had become its hallmark. Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension stemming from a March 2024 multi-car crash forced Kansas City into an early-season reliance on receivers ill-suited for featured roles. Injuries along the offensive line further complicated matters.
The interior trio of Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith performed admirably, but the tackle positions were far less stable. Jawaan Taylor, when not committing penalties at a league-leading rate, provided solid play at right tackle. First-round pick Josh Simmons showed promise in 2025 before a midseason four-week absence, and his year ultimately ended with a fractured wrist in Week 13.
Perhaps most damaging was the absence of a reliable running game. A tight end and ground game are a quarterback’s best friend. The Chiefs finished the season with their lowest explosive run rate on running back carries in 25 years. For all of Mahomes’ brilliance, no quarterback can consistently thrive without balance. The lack of a rushing threat placed an unsustainable burden on him, forcing the offense into predictability.
It’s no surprise that much of the fan frustration has landed on general manager Brett Veach, particularly amid reports that Kansas City declined the opportunity to acquire Breece Hall for a third-round pick. Whether fair or not, the perception reflects a growing concern: roster construction margins are shrinking as Mahomes’ contract grows.
Defensive Inconsistency and Missed Impact
Defensively, the story was similarly uneven. Chris Jones remains a cornerstone, but his production has dipped. George Karlaftis, fresh off a $93 million extension before the 2025 season, flashed disruption without consistently finishing plays. Sack totals aren’t everything, but premium contracts raise expectations, and the return has been inconsistent.
The linebacker group was arguably the most stable unit on the roster. Adding a coverage-capable linebacker for sub-package flexibility could elevate the defense further. Injuries ravaged the secondary, particularly to Kristian Fulton and Trent McDuffie, while a lack of consistent pass rush placed added strain on coverage.
Jaylen Watson emerged as a bright spot and may have priced himself out of a return to Kansas City. Nohl Williams showed physicality in a limited role and could be poised for a larger opportunity in 2026. The safety position, however, remains an area of concern. Coverage versatility and turnover production were lacking, two traits the Chiefs can ill afford to ignore moving forward.
The Chiefs' Path Forward
With Mahomes’ contract commanding an increasing share of the cap, the Chiefs no longer have the luxury of misfiring in the draft or at key positions. Their margin for error has narrowed. The dynasty may not be dead, but it is unquestionably fragile.
Kansas City’s return to dominance will hinge on roster balance, renewed physicality, and precision in personnel decisions. If the Chiefs draft well, reinforce the trenches, and restore offensive balance, this season may ultimately be remembered not as the end but as the necessary wake-up call. The dynasty may be dead; however, as I’ve often stated, as long as the Chiefs have No. 15, there’s always an opportunity to win it all. That reality places the ball squarely in the court of Brett Veach to improve the supporting cast.