What’s Behind the Kansas City Chiefs’ Struggles This Year

Andy Reid is one of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history. But even great coaches have blind spots. Before Mahomes, Reid’s teams in both Philadelphia and Kansas City had postseason stumbles, including blowing a 28-point lead to the Colts in 2014 and a 21–3 halftime lead to the Titans in 2018. His clock management has been questioned for years, especially his tendency to orchestrate long, slow drives when trailing, limiting comeback opportunities.

There have also been stretches of over-aggressive play calling and a baffling reluctance to run the ball, even with elite backs like Kareem Hunt. Mahomes has masked many of these issues, but some patterns persist and may explain the Chiefs’ recent inconsistency.

The loss to Denver underscored these problems. The Chiefs failed to control the clock or establish the line of scrimmage. Deep shots stretched the field, but the overall plan played into Denver’s strengths. Sean Payton even noted at halftime that Kansas City had been a “first-half team,” implying he expected the door to stay open. And he was right: even with the lead, the Chiefs didn’t put the game away.

A fiery, demanding coaching voice could help restore accountability. During the peak of the dynasty, Eric Bieniemy provided that intensity. Someone like Brian Daboll, a tough, detail-oriented presence, could play a similar role, allowing Reid to focus on big picture strategy. Even with Matt Nagy as the Offensive Coordinator, this staff may lack the hard-edged coach who keeps players locked in when things get shaky. Bringing in new voices can never hurt. Many of the current staff members have been part of the organization for years, which can make it harder to generate fresh ideas or challenge existing habits.

Understanding the importance of the running game is crucial. Running the ball keeps defenses honest and gives Mahomes clear, easy reads. Too often, the Chiefs rely almost exclusively on Mahomes to carry the offense, expecting him to “put on the Superman cape” and save the day. Even the greatest quarterbacks need support. Historically, teams like the Patriots leaned on the running game to wear down defenses and control the clock.

Hunt has been efficient this season, with a 54.5% success rate, showing he can still be effective. Even if Isiah Pacheco isn’t at his peak, the mere threat of a strong running game forces defenses to respect it. If the Chiefs feel the ground game is a lost cause, quick passes can serve as the adjustment, keeping the offense moving and the clock running.

This coaching staff is smart and has done many things right, but no team is above learning from constructive criticism. Addressing these gaps could be the key to sustaining Kansas City’s edge in the postseason.

Slow Drips, Big Problems: Special Teams Issues Plaguing Kansas City

The cliché that special teams is a third of the game exists for a reason. Under Dave Toub, the Chiefs’ special teams have usually been a strength. This season, they’ve been anything but.

Costly penalties have erased big returns and ruined field position. Harrison Butker, normally among the NFL’s most reliable kickers, has been less consistent this season. Coverage breakdowns have also been glaring.

In the loss to Denver, Marvin Mims Jr. averaged 33.7 yards per punt return, consistently flipping field position. The Broncos even blocked a crucial extra point that helped fuel their comeback.

Toub has emphasized smarter play, better angles, and cleaner technique in practice. Both he and Reid have acknowledged the problems and say they’re committed to fixing them. The team remains confident that Butker can regain form, but the unit’s week-to-week inconsistency remains a quiet but serious concern.

Roster Decisions Under the Microscope: Can Veach Refresh the Team?

Brett Veach has poured enormous resources into the defensive line. Yet outside of Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, production has been uneven. Injuries have forced the team to bring back familiar faces like Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel, underscoring the lack of reliable depth. In the past year, Kareem Hunt and safety Mike Edwards also returned to the team. There’s nothing wrong with bringing back players who know the system, but their availability raises questions. For example, Mecole Hardman has been cut three different times in the NFL, most recently by the Bills, and made a costly blunder against the Buccaneers this past week.

Given these depth challenges, Kansas City could look to reinforce both the trenches and the backfield with several realistic options, while also bringing fresh faces into the locker room. Kansas City could reinforce the trenches and backfield with several realistic options. At running back, veterans such as Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall, or Javonte Williams could offer reliability and explosiveness. Along the offensive line, players like Laken Tomlinson, Jedrick Wills Jr., or Braden Smith could be replacements/depth for the group.

Defensively, names like Larry Ogunjobi, Sebastian Joseph, and D.J. Wonnum stand out as potential additions who could help immediately.

Veach doesn’t need recklessness, but he does need to be aggressive. Smart risks built this roster. Smart risks may be necessary to refresh it.

Can Kansas City Recapture Its Edge?

Kansas City still has the talent to dominate. Travis Kelce even said he’d take this year’s roster over last year’s, which reflects the confidence inside the building. However, winning in December and January requires more than just talent. It requires emotional energy, accountability, and strategic clarity.

This Sunday could define their season.

Despite their struggles, the Chiefs remain highly competitive, as all five losses have been by a combined 22 points. That doesn’t signal a lack of talent or coaching. It points to lapses in focus, intensity, and urgency. If Kansas City reaches the postseason, they’re more than capable of making a serious run. With their experience, they would instantly become the most dangerous wild-card team in the field. And with newcomers like the Patriots, Colts, and Broncos near the top of the AFC playoff picture, that experience could be the deciding factor against inexperienced contenders.

If the Chiefs can rediscover their edge, the entire playoff landscape shifts.
If they can’t, this may be the first season where the dynasty finally looks…human.