[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 NFL Preview Magazine. Order your copy today online or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
Everybody knows the standard in Kansas City since Patrick Mahomes’ ascendance in 2018. The worst finish the Chiefs have had in Mahomes’ seven seasons as a starter came in AFC Championship Game overtime losses. Every other season has ended in the Super Bowl. After the chance at a historic three-peat slipped through Kansas City’s grasp last season, only one goal will satisfy Mahomes, head coach Andy Reid and Chiefs Kingdom — a crack at Super Bowl LX. Tight end Travis Kelce is entering the final year of his contract and perhaps his career, so Kansas City will be highly motivated to send the franchise legend and future Hall of Famer out in style — if he is, indeed, ready to step away.
More NFL team previews
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks
Offense
Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 times last season — plus 11 more times in the playoffs, including six in the Super Bowl — so it’s no surprise that the Chiefs addressed the offensive line in the offseason. All-Pro center Creed Humphrey is locked in long-term, and Kansas City used the franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith, aiming for a long-term deal as well. That meant salary-cap considerations forced the Chiefs to trade left guard Joe Thuney, who moved to left tackle late in 2024. Thuney’s departure is a big loss in terms of talent and leadership, but the math said it was necessary. Kingsley Suamataia — a second-round pick in 2024 who was handed the left tackle job in training camp last season and couldn’t lock it down — is expected to bounce inside and compete with Mike Caliendo as Thuney’s successor. To solve the left tackle problem, the Chiefs signed former 49ers backup Jaylon Moore (two years, $30 million) and drafted Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in the first round, while Jawaan Taylor returns at right tackle. Is it enough? Kansas City hopes so in an AFC West filled with ascending teams.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Hollywood Brown (5) walks down the hill from the locker room to the fields during training camp at Missouri Western State University.
Hollywood Brown
Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Mahomes hasn’t topped 30 touchdown passes since 2022, but he’s got enough weapons to blow past that milestone — if the receiver group can stay healthy. Hollywood Brown missed most of 2024 with a broken collarbone suffered on the first play of the preseason, and Rashee Rice, who could face a suspension for his March 2024 hit-and-run car crash in Dallas, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last season. Both return, along with second-year speedster Xavier Worthy, who scored nine touchdowns as a rookie, and veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Kansas City also added a big-play threat in Jalen Royals, a value pick in the fourth round. With Mecole Hardman Jr. now in Green Bay, Royals and Worthy will get reps in Reid’s gadget role and as possible downfield threats to rekindle Kansas City’s missing big-play offense. In 2024, Kelce had a down year by his legendary standard — though he still had 97 catches for 823 yards — but Noah Gray had a career year, including five touchdowns, to bring balance to the Chiefs’ tight-end production. If Mahomes is protected and the pass-catchers are healthy, the passing game could be elite.
Seventh-round running back Brashard Smith, who ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, brings much-needed speed and athleticism to the backfield, but he’s not a three-down back. Veterans Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt return to a running-back group that needs to improve on its 3.7 yards per carry average from last season. Kansas City also added former San Francisco 49er Elijah Mitchell via free agency to round out the patchwork backfield.
Defense
It’s surprising that coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has built a consistent championship-caliber defense in his six seasons with Kansas City, hasn’t garnered more attention as a head-coaching candidate, but the Chiefs aren’t complaining. Just as on offense, Kansas City’s offseason focus on defense was the line. Game-wrecking tackle Chris Jones and hard-nosed end George Karlaftis, who combined for 48 QB hits last season, bring star power to the position group, while end Mike Danna and tackle Mike Pennel bring a steady, veteran presence to the rotation. The Chiefs also re-signed end Charles Omenihu, added veteran tackle Jerry Tillery to replace Tershawn Wharton and hope 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah makes a leap at end. But Kansas City will be counting on second-round pick Omarr Norman-Lott, an undersized but quick pass-rushing tackle from Tennessee, and relentless third-round end Ashton Gillotte, who had 26.5 sacks in 51 career games at Louisville, to force their way into the rotation. Kansas City boasted top-five league-wide knockdown and pressure rates last season, but it translated to middling sack production, which the Chiefs would love to change.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a catch against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nick Bolton
(Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
Linebacker Nick Bolton, who handles play-calling duties as Spagnuolo’s eyes and ears on the field, re-signed on a three-year, $45 million deal. He’s an instinctive playmaker and leads a linebacking corps that includes Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal. The room got a much-needed injection of athleticism with fifth-round pick Jeffrey Bassa. He figures to make an impact on special teams immediately, but the converted safety also could help in coverage sub-packages, especially against elite tight ends or receiving backs.
Speaking of coverage, signing veteran cornerback Kristian Fulton and moving up to get third-round corner Nohl Williams beefed up the Chiefs’ secondary along the boundary. Kansas City also has veterans Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson in the mix outside. That should allow Trent McDuffie to move back into the slot, where he was an All-Pro in 2023, and free up Chamarri Conner to be Spagnuolo’s defensive-back Swiss army knife. One of the biggest adjustments for the Chiefs will be losing Justin Reid on the back end. It looks like second-year safety Jaden Hicks’ job to lose. He flashed immense potential as a rookie. Kansas City will hope safety Bryan Cook, who is in the final year of his rookie deal, steps up along with Conner, while veterans Mike Edwards and Deon Bush provide depth.
Specialists
Wide receiver Nikko Remigio emerged as Kansas City’s primary return specialist last season. He’s the front-runner heading to camp, especially after Hardman signed with the Packers, but two draft picks — cornerback Williams and running back Smith — will get extended looks in return roles. Otherwise, the Chiefs return some familiar faces. Long-snapper James Winchester, the second-longest-tenured player on the roster behind Kelce, is back for his 11th season, and placekicker Harrison Butker returns for his ninth in Kansas City. Punter Matt Araiza led the NFL in touchbacks (nine) and posted a pedestrian net punting average as a rookie, so he’ll have to fend off a challenge a fellow Ray Guy Award winner, undrafted rookie Eddie Czaplicki from USC.
Final Analysis
Kansas City has owned the AFC West for nine consecutive seasons, but Denver will be a trendy pick to end that streak in Sean Payton’s third season. If not the Broncos, the Justin Herbert-led Los Angeles Chargers are due some hype in Jim Harbaugh’s second season, right? Heck, even the Las Vegas Raiders enter 2025 with a Super Bowl-champion head coach (Pete Carroll) and a non-journeyman quarterback (Geno Smith). There will be no shortage of pundits lining up to predict the fall of the Chiefs — perhaps with good cause after that Super Bowl dud to end last season. But bet against Mahomes, Reid and the rest of Kansas City’s battle-tested, proud organization at your own risk.
More NFL team previews
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Patriots
AFC North:Bengals | Browns | Ravens | Steelers
AFC South:Colts | Jaguars | Texans | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chargers | Chiefs | Raiders
NFC East:Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
NFC West: 49ers | Cardinals | Rams | Seahawks