The NFL’s most recent dynasty is at a crossroads, as Patrick Mahomes & Company are trying to recapture some of their old magic in what promises to be a pivotal year
By Matthew Serocki | May 18, 2026
Despite missing the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade, NFL schedule makers still hold the former three-time Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs in high regard for 2026. Even with a 6-11 mark in the 2025 season and missing the playoffs for the first time with Patrick Mahomes under center, the Chiefs were given six primetime games.
That could be good or bad, as any potential success hinges on Mahomes’ healing from tears to both his ACL and LCL in his left knee during a Week 15 game against the Chargers. The former MVP obviously wants to be back in time for Week 1’s Monday Night Football matchup with the defending AFC West Champion Denver Broncos, but rushing back could be more harmful than helpful.
The Chiefs need to rebound in a big way as the rest of the NFL caught up to them over the last two years. Along with the Broncos making it to the AFC Championship Game, the Chargers also qualified for the postseason after going 11-6.
New England found its quarterback of the future in Drake Maye, while Josh Allen is still one or two throws away from going to the Super Bowl. Baltimore and Cincinnati are always threats as long as Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow are healthy.
Houston and Jacksonville could build on the success both had in 2025. Simply put, the Chiefs teams that blew people out with a high-powered offense and then clamped down on teams with a stingy defense when that offense started to sputter are gone.
Of course, having Mahomes, all-world tight end Travis Kelce, defensive leader Chris Jones, and head coach Andy Reid already gives Kansas City a leg up on many other NFL teams. These are the key pieces that went to five Super Bowls from 2019 to 2024, including wins in the 2019, 2022, and 2023 seasons.
The defense still had a top 10 finish in total yards allowed per game last year, in just under 300/game, and was sixth overall in PPG allowed (19.3). The problems stemmed from the once-dominant offense, as Mahomes led a unit that finished 20th in the league in total yards per game.
That mark put them behind the New York Giants (13th), Atlanta Falcons (14th), and Arizona Cardinals (19th). And despite having multiple MVP and Super Bowl trophies, Mahomes was also part of the problem.
In 14 games, he finished with 22 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, a 62.7 completion percentage, and an 89.6 quarterback rating. Those were easily the worst of his career, except for a worse rating during his rookie season.
The major issue is that Kansas City was not a good overall team even before Mahomes’ injury, and expecting things to return to the glory days may be wishful thinking. The league is much more competitive across both conferences, and the Texas Tech product is coming off a devastating injury.
To expect a return to their prior greatness, however, isn’t likely in the Magic 8 Ball this season. Playing a third-place schedule should help, but several formidable teams are up and down the list.
Along with the Broncos and Chargers (two times apiece), Kansas City plays Seattle, Buffalo, the Rams, Cincinnati, New England, and San Francisco. That’s 10 of 17 games. Mahomes could regain some of the magic from early in his career, but too much has changed for that to be the certainty for Chiefs’ fans this season.
While some analysts give Kansas City slack because of past performances, those past performances won’t help in 2026. They should be better than in 2025 and could fight for a playoff spot, but Mahomes may have to resort to hero ball to catch up with the rest of the league. That may be bad for him and his squad.
