The Chiefs regroup after a shocking 6-11 — and everything rides on Mahomes's knee

The unthinkable happened in Kansas City in 2025: after nine straight AFC West titles, the Chiefs posted a 6-11 record and finished third in their own division. Was it a blip or an inflection point? That's the question hanging over the franchise as it regroups behind head coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo — three of the best in the business, and the reason few are counting the Chiefs out.

The Mahomes question

Everything begins with Patrick Mahomes's health. Disaster struck in a Week 15 loss to the Chargers when Mahomes tore two ligaments in his left knee and underwent surgery the next day. He's reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehab and seems likely to start when the Chiefs open the season, but a major knee injury is a serious hurdle — and improvisation and scrambling are central to his brilliance. How much mobility he regains is the biggest variable of Kansas City's season, and the league's.

An aggressive reset

The Chiefs didn't sit still after their down year. They shored up the running game by signing Kenneth Walker III, revamped the defense with a pair of first-round defensive picks including tackle Peter Woods, and made a bold financial move by trading All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams for a haul of picks — a deal that saved significant cash and let them reallocate resources. It was the aggressive offseason of a franchise determined to reclaim its standard.

Season outlook

Kansas City enters 2026 as the betting favorite to win the AFC West, a testament to how much faith the market has in Reid, Veach, and a healthy Mahomes. The organization has its house in order at the top, and a bounce-back is very much on the table. But the caveats are real: Mahomes returning from a serious knee injury, an aging Travis Kelce, and the need for the offense to find a new dynamic weapon. If Mahomes is close to himself, the Chiefs are contenders again. If the injury lingers, 2025 could prove to be more than a blip. Rarely has a Kansas City season carried this much uncertainty.