The Chiefs have fallen off this year because the roster and coaching haven’t kept up with the rest of the league, and a lot of their old strengths have turned into weaknesses. On top of that, injuries, aging stars, and sloppy execution have all hit at once.
Offense is broken
Kansas City’s offensive line has struggled in both protection and run blocking, so Patrick Mahomes is under more pressure and the run game can’t consistently stay ahead of the chains. The receiver group still lacks a true, reliable game-breaking wideout, while Travis Kelce looks like an older version of himself instead of a constant mismatch.
Playcalling and scheme have also grown predictable, forcing Mahomes to carry too much and leading to more off-target throws and turnovers than in his peak seasons. When defenses sit on the short and intermediate concepts and win up front, the offense stalls for long stretches.
Defense and special teams issues
Defensively, outside of Chris Jones there aren’t enough high-end playmakers, so the pass rush and coverage both sag when he is neutralized. That has led to long drives, late-game collapses, and the unit no longer bailing out the offense like in recent years.
Special teams, usually a quiet strength, have slipped with missed kicks, mediocre punting, and penalties wiping out big returns, costing hidden yardage and points. When a team that used to win every margin starts losing offense, defense, and special teams at once, the record drops fast.
Bigger picture problems
The front office has not replenished elite talent around Mahomes, so the margin for error has shrunk every year. A “just let 15 save us” approach works less as he takes more hits, plays through injuries, and tries to force throws to average weapons.
Coaching-wise, Andy Reid is still respected, but the offensive philosophy has not evolved enough, and in-game decisions and adjustments have come under more criticism as close losses stack up. Add the emotional and physical wear of years of deep playoff runs, and you get a tired, banged‑up team that no longer looks like a dynasty, just another flawed roster.
