It’s hard to overstate just how angry Chiefs fans are. [Losing 22–19 to the Denver Broncos](https://arrowheadaddict.com/winners-and-losers-from-chiefs-miserable-week-11-collapse-in-denver-01ka7h6qfz61) (a team Kansas City has dominated for nearly a decade) feels like a gut punch that was entirely avoidable. This wasn’t a loss born from a talent mismatch. It wasn’t because the roster is too injured, too young, or too thin. It was a failure of preparation, execution, and coaching. Chiefs fans have every right to be furious because this game exposed problems that go far deeper than scoreboard luck or a few bad bounces.
The offense looks disjointed, the coaching staff stubborn, and the Chiefs find themselves caught between who they were and who they’re trying to be. Yet while frustrations with this team are justified (especially with the offensive coaching), the narrative that the roster is “decimated” doesn’t hold up under real scrutiny. It’s flawed, absolutely — but far from hopeless.
In fact, much of the roster remains strong or at least functional, and the issues dragging Kansas City into mediocrity sit squarely on the sidelines rather than the depth chart.
Let's take a look at the state of the Chiefs' roster and where the biggest issues lie.
**Grading the Offense — 3.2 GPA (A-)**
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### **Quarterback: A+**
Patrick Mahomes has been inconsistent at times, but the standard he’s being graded against is his own legendary baseline. Even in a down stretch, he’s better than nearly everyone alive. He didn't play incredibly well in Week 11, but he is far from the problem.
### **Running Backs: D-**
This backfield simply doesn’t have the talent to be good. Isaiah Pacheco runs hard, but his vision is poor and he doesn’t have the speed to threaten defenses (not to mention his current injury). Kareem Hunt still sees the field well, but no longer has the burst to create real plays. Together, they form one of the [least dynamic RB rooms in the league](https://arrowheadaddict.com/three-rb-trade-targets-who-could-rescue-patrick-mahomes-right-now-01k59e457srs).
### **Offensive Line: A**
This is one of the most frustrating disconnects between perception and reality. Chiefs fans talk about the line as though it’s a disaster, but the numbers and tape strongly disagree.
Josh Simmons is an elite young talent when healthy. Kingsley Suamataia has been surprisingly strong for his age. Creed Humphrey remains one of the best centers in football. Trey Smith has played some of his best ball. Jawaan Taylor isn’t perfect, but he’s still above average in pass protection. This is a legitimately strong unit.
### **Tight End: A-**
Travis Kelce is still a high-level tight end, even if he’s not the unstoppable force of three years ago. Noah Gray is consistent and can be utilized infrequently to make significant plays. Robert Tonyan is above average, but shouldn't see major snaps with the two guys ahead of him.
### **Wide Receiver: B**
Rashee Rice is an above-average receiver who thrives in his defined role. Xavier Worthy is a dangerous weapon but not yet a WR1 or WR2 who can carry drives. Hollywood Brown is a fine rotational piece. Tyquan Thornton offers real deep-speed value. JuJu Smith-Schuster should not have a major role, but that’s again a coaching issue, not a talent one. There’s enough here to build a functioning offense. The Chiefs simply haven’t done that.
**Grading the Defense — 2.75 GPA (B+)**
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### **Defensive Line: C-**
Chris Jones is still good, yet the elite takeover games are fading. George Karlaftis works hard and flashes power, but he isn't a true cornerstone. Derrick Nnadi and Mike Danna both profile as rotational players, not full-time disruptors. This group is functional, not fearsome.
### **Linebackers: B**
Nick Bolton, Drue Tranquil, and Leo Chenal form a tough, smart, and physical trio. Bolton is excellent in specific situations. Tranquil has lost a step in coverage but remains solid. Chenal is the perfect fit for Spagnuolo’s front. This isn’t a superstar unit, but it’s elevated by scheme and discipline.
### **Cornerbacks: A+**
Trent McDuffie is an absolute superstar and one of the best defensive players in football. Jaylen Watson has exceeded expectations and put together Pro Bowl-caliber play. Nohl Williams has excelled in limited opportunities. This is arguably the best cornerback room in the NFL.
### **Safeties: C+**
This is the shakiest part of the defense. Bryan Cook is a strong run defender but inconsistent in coverage. Chamarri Conner is scheme-dependent and vulnerable when isolated. Rookie Jaden Hicks hasn’t met early expectations. They aren’t unplayable, but they are the most volatile position group on the roster.
**Grading the Coaching Staff**
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This is by far the biggest factor in whether or not the Chiefs win or lose football games.
### **Offense: C-**
This is where the real problem lies. Andy Reid and Matt Nagy have not met expectations with the talent available. The lack of sustainable game plans, the refusal to lean on the run when it’s working, and the insistence on turning every game into a Mahomes-centric shootout have cost the team. When your backs average 4.5+ yards per carry and you still refuse to run, that’s not a roster problem—it’s a philosophical one.
### **Defense: A-**
Steve Spagnuolo has delivered another strong season, though the defense has faltered in big moments. Still, Spags provides the offense with chances again and again. He remains one of the best situational play callers in the league and the primary reason the Chiefs are in most games at all.
**Conclusion**
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The Chiefs aren’t failing because the roster is broken; they’re failing because the offensive coaching is. Andy Reid and Matt Nagy have turned a talented, functional roster into an offense that looks confused, stubborn, and unprepared far too often. The 22–19 loss to Denver was the clearest example yet: the blocking was there, the defense repeatedly gave the offense chances, and the skill positions (while imperfect) were good enough to win. But the game plan wasn’t. The adjustments weren’t. The urgency wasn’t.
This team doesn’t have a roster problem; it has a leadership problem. Until the offensive coaching staff stops wasting drives, wasting talent, and wasting opportunities, the Chiefs will keep dropping winnable games like this one. The Broncos didn’t expose our players. They exposed our coaches.