Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs' 2025 'Standard' Doesn't Change After Super Bowl Blowout

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 10:54 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer seen as surefire Super Bowl contenders, unlike they were in previous years, following the beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

With question marks on the offensive line and at receiver, coupled with Travis Kelce's ability to bounce back in his 13th season, some have jumped off the Chiefs' bandwagon, thinking this team is no longer what it used to be.

However, just because that is the feeling, it doesn't mean the standards we expect from them have changed. For former NFL receiver Harry Douglas, despite last year's failure, the standards must remain just as high as ever.

"The standard in Kansas City is Super Bowl or bust," Douglas said on ESPN's GetUp. "So if they do not win a Super Bowl, yes, that season is a failure. That's not saying Patrick Mahomes as a quarterback is a failure, we understand his body of work, but the only thing they're searching for, especially coming off a loss last year in the Super Bowl, where Mahomes got sacked six times, yes, it is deemed a failure. If they don't win the Super Bowl in Kansas City, it's a failure."

Is it really Super Bowl or bust?

We think so.

There is still ample talent on this roster on both sides of the ball that gives us confidence in picking the Chiefs to make the playoffs, and as we know, once there, the shadow of Mahomes and Co. looms large over every other AFC team.

Some aren't sold on the Chiefs in 2025, but despite that, winning the Super Bowl remains the only standard by which we can measure their success.

Yes, the roster might not be as potent, and last year's Super Bowl loss might have tarnished their aura, but the standard that we and everyone hold them to means that anything other than a Super Bowl win will be seen as a colossal failure in the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: