The Kansas City Chiefs have been the gold standard in winning over the past decade, with Andy Reid at the head of a franchise that just doesn't know how not to win.
Plus, we add in drafting Patrick Mahomes, who has elevated the franchise to incredible heights, and the Chiefs have won the last nine AFC West titles; it is a period of dominance that many want to end.
But will it?
The Super Bowl debacle, for some, took the shine off the Chiefs' invincibility aura as they chased a three-peat, as the Philadelphia Eagles put them to the sword in devastating fashion.
Now we look ahead to 2025, and the Chiefs' offseason has seen them lose star guard Joe Thuney, Justin Reid, Tershawn Wharton, and Derrick Nnadi while running it back with the likes of Marquise Brown, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Kareem Hunt.
Jaylon Moore comes in as the starting left tackle, while Elijah Moore was signed for running back competition, but is that enough? Will the Chiefs be a weaker version of themselves and lose their grip on the AFC West?
ESPN's Dan Graziano is skeptical, given the Chiefs' history.
"The bones are good," Graziano writes. "Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, coach Andy Reid and defensive tackle Chris Jones are still there. Tight end Travis Kelce is back for another season. This team is the best in the NFL at figuring out how to solve the puzzle of the season and come out on top, and until we actually see someone finish ahead of the Chiefs in their division for the first time in a decade, I won't believe it's happening."
Yes, the Chiefs might not be as good as they were last year on paper, at least, and while the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Las Vegas Raiders have all improved this offseason, is that enough to dethrone Kansas City?
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After all, Mahomes has had his way with the division since becoming the starter in 2018.
The gap might have closed slightly, but given the Chiefs' history and the fact they went 15-2 last year, you will be hard-pressed to find many people who are betting against them in 2025.
And we won't either.
Related: Stephen A. Smith's 2 Major Mistakes In Chiefs Free Agency
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 4:03 AM.