This was a team that was merely surviving while relying on its big-game experience and abilities in clutch situations in 2023 and 2024. That house of cards collapsed when the competition became stronger and the roster became weaker in 2025. 

The Situation in a Nutshell

Not only has the defense regressed, but the quarterback problem is also becoming significant. Mahomes will be coming off a major knee injury in 2026, which could impact his improvisational abilities at the very least. It also has to be stated that in the last three seasons, the 30-year-old ranks 20th among 31 qualified passers with a 92.0 rating. In that span, only Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield have thrown more interceptions.

Mahomes is too much of a staple for the franchise to move on this quickly, and it would likely cost them a ton of money to trade him (even if he lifts his no-trade clause). He’s probably not going anywhere, but the Chiefs shouldn’t rule it out in the event of a blockbuster offer. Regardless, they need to regroup and rebuild around him in dramatic fashion or this whole thing will begin to rot.Â