Injuries derail quarterback play, defense falters, and a once-dominant dynasty faces significant offseason upheaval and potential player departures.
2025 has been a complete disaster for the Kansas City Chiefs, and week 16 was no different. It began as the first game without quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a torn ACL in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Gardner Minshew was under center for the Chiefs, hoping to bring some sort of value in Mahomes’ absence.
Unfortunately, Minshew didn’t get much of a chance. He attempted just eight passes before leaving the game with an ACL tear of his own. The Chiefs went on to lose to the Tennessee Titans 9-26. It all but confirms that there was some type of curse placed on Kansas City this season with how often the Chiefs have suffered in 2025.
Back in reality, however, the Chiefs have seen disappointment after disappointment. They hold just a 6-9 record with just two games to go, meaning they’ll officially have a below .500 record by the season’s end for the first time since 2012.
As the season continues, things have only gotten worse, evident by their newest placement at No. 22 in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings ahead of Week 17.
“Patrick Mahomes is out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, but Kansas City was on the brink of playoff elimination before he went down,” the B/R NFL Staff wrote alongside the ranking. “The Chiefs' Super Bowl hangover will lead to several roster changes in the offseason.”
Chiefs fans will see significant changes to the roster this offseason, whether they are ready or not. Tight end Travis Kelce might call it quits after a 13-year career in Kansas City. With questions surrounding Mahomes’ timeline for 2026, Kelce may not be willing to wait around after such a grueling 2025.
The Chiefs, on paper, should be better than they have been. They’ve allowed the fourth fewest points per game this season at 19.6. With a defense holding teams to under 20 points, you’d expect the Chiefs to come out of nearly every game with a win, because they are the Kansas City Chiefs after all. The same team that has dominated on the offensive side of the ball for years and years in the process of becoming football’s most recent dynasty is now just average on offense.
There isn’t the same fear instilled in opposing defenses by the Chiefs, especially after the Mahomes injury. With Kelce potentially hanging it up, Kansas City may be left without its top weapon in 2026. The focus this offseason will be on how to get the Chiefs to be the Chiefs once again, making explosive plays and always instilling fear in opposing defenses.