For Chiefs fans around the world, the 2025 season was something unforeseen. After a playoff run and making it to the Super Bowl the year before against the Philadelphia Eagles, going 6-11 didn’t seem in the future for the team.
The question is, how did this happen?
The most glaringly obvious reason for the Chiefs demise was injuries. The one that the whole NFL was talking about was Patrick Mahomes tearing his ACL and LCL in his left knee, causing him to need season ending surgery. This happened in December, and the team had already been on a downfall.
The offensive line had many holes this season at various moments. In the December 14 matchup versus the Los Angeles Chargers, Wanya Morris, Jawaan Taylor and Trey Smith, three of the Chiefs starting offensive linemen, were not active.
Trent McDuffie, starting cornerback, and Hollywood Brown, starting wide-receiver, were also inactive verses the Chargers. The Chiefs only lost 16-13 despite this.
To end the season, the Chiefs had 20 people on the injured reserve list, including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Simmons, Jaylen Watson, Tyquan Thorton, Trent McDuffie, Rashee Rice, Leo Chanel and Gardner Minshew. Trey Smith and Xavier Worthy also had notable injuries but were never placed on IR.
Another reason for the Chief’s losing record is the inability to close games. In the past, Kansas City has been a team that you could not count out, like in the AFC Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills in the 2021 season. Even with 13 seconds remaining on the clock, Mahomes and Travis Kelce were able to pull off a big play and set up Harrison Butker to send the game overtime.
For some reason, this season was the exact opposite. They went 1-9 in one-score games according to Sports Illustrated’s Zak Gilbert, which is the worst record in the NFL. Not only was the offense not able to make any plays to get them down the field, but the defense also couldn’t take big time stops when they needed it most.
Going along with the offense, there was a lack of star power needed to perform at a high level and execute like seasons past. With Rashee Rice missing time due to a suspension at the beginning of the season and Travis Kelce not playing at his best, the offense needed to rely heavily on other options.
While Kareem Hunt was able to get the ground game going frequently, the wide-receivers like Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy could not seem to connect with Mahomes the way fans hoped they would.
Although the season ended bleakly, there is something positive for Chiefs fans to look forward to.
With offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s contract coming to an end and him getting attention for head coaching jobs, Eric Bieniemy was brought back on staff to fill that role. Bieniemy won two Super Bowl’s with the Chiefs before moving on to be the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator, then to UCLA, and finally to the Chicago Bears before making his way back.
Next fall, we will see if the Chiefs can turn their franchise back into the team it was, or it is really down with the dynasty.
