The Kansas City Chiefs, much to the delight of the AFC in 2025, finally had a down year and missed the playoffs, allowing someone else to play in the postseason.
With the Chiefs undergoing a soft roster reset in hopes of bouncing back in 2026, some are bullish on Kansas City this season. But how healthy will Patrick Mahomes be? He's on schedule to return in Week 1, and if he does, the Chiefs are in business.
But what can we expect from the Chiefs this upcoming season? Well, AFC fans, you'd better turn away, because Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame, in his prediction, has Kansas City going 12-5 and winning the division.
"It’s hard to believe the Chiefs will be a bottom-feeder again. Patrick Mahomes is on track to return in Week 1," Verderame wrote. "They overhauled their run game by adding Kenneth Walker III and then used their first four draft picks on defense.
"The schedule has tough pockets, including a three-game road trip starting on Thanksgiving night against the Bills, Rams and Bengals before coming home to face the Patriots and 49ers. The Chiefs also open with two home prime-time games against the Broncos and Colts."
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Mahomes key to Chiefs' 2026 prediction
Everything is predicated on Mahomes not only being ready for Week 1 but also being able to play at a high level, as the Chiefs face the Denver Broncos first up. You don't want to be working your way back to full health against that defense.
But that is where Kenneth Walker and the run game come into the calculations: if they can take the pressure off Patrick, that will do wonders for the offense.
Is a 12-5 season really within the Chiefs' grasp in 2026? Absolutely, it is, but only if Mahomes is "Mahomes" to start the year.
And that will be a big watch as the offseason rolls along.
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