The Kansas City Chiefs had a rough 2025 campaign, missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade after winning just six games.
Considering how poorly the Kansas City Chiefs played during the 2025 season, you’d think its schedule would reflect its 6-11 non-playoff record.
However, it doesn’t, and the Chiefs have the fifth-hardest strength of schedule based on opponents winning percentage from a season ago. Kansas City should be much better than it was last season, though, and in all likelihood end up a playoff contender like last year didn’t happen.
But how far could the Chiefs go with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes coming off ACL repair surgery? Back to the Super Bowl? Crazier things have happened.
The Chiefs got a much-needed running back upgrade when it signed Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Kenneth Walker III to a three-year deal to kick off free agency and added depth at several defensive positions, but the defense certainly took a hit when it lost both starting cornerbacks to the Los Angeles Rams in the offseason (Trent McDuffie traded, Jaylen Watson signed).
The pass rush didn’t get much of an upgrade, but the addition of Peter Woods to the defensive line should help open up opportunities to get to the quarterback at a much higher rate than the unit did last season.
Walker should provide a huge boost to the offense with his quick burst and explosiveness, but the Chiefs need more out of its receiving corps, which ranked near the top of the National Football League in drops. If the passing game can get back to what it used to be, paired with the new-and-improved running game with Walker, the Chiefs offense should be able to score a lot of points.
Aside from some depth signings, the defense didn’t get much better, which could cost the team during the season. ESPN’s Dan Graziano judged five overreactions based on the schedule release and reacted to the statement “The Chiefs will return to the Super Bowl,” saying it’s an overreaction.
“Seven of Kansas City's games are against teams that won at least 12 games last season, and four are against teams that won at least 14,” Graziano wrote Thursday. “The Chiefs' schedule features not only the two Super Bowl participants but all four of the conference championship game participants.
“This isn't to say the Chiefs can't overcome all of this. We've seen them do it before. But the past couple of seasons have shown significant cracks in the armor.”
Graziano knows it’s silly to bet against Mahomes and coach Andy Reid, but we don’t know how Mahomes will look post-surgery, although he is progressing very well through his recovery.
A playoff berth is certainly possible, but a Super Bowl appearance? It’s far too early to tell.
The Chiefs will start the season with a divisional matchup against the American Football Conference West champion Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football in Week 1 on Sept. 14.
