After losing Mahomes, Chiefs must prepare for challenging rebuild

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

After losing QB Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs must prepare for challenging rebuild

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 8:03 AM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, leaving many stunned, including defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Following a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Jones expressed disappointment but said, "[The Chiefs] still have a fighting chance."

He soon realized the Chiefs had been eliminated from the playoffs. The DT asked reporters if Kansas City (6-8) remained in the postseason hunt. When they told him no, his head dropped, and his lips tightened.

A disappointed Jones, who has spent his entire 10-year career with the Chiefs, may have felt that this season was one of the team's last chances to win a fourth Super Bowl since 2019. But now its championship window looks closed.

Chris Jones' raw reaction to realizing the #Chiefs are officially out of playoff contention:@KWCH12 pic.twitter.com/cD1zdEwzwk
— Rachel Hallam (@KWCHRachelH) December 14, 2025

Is Chiefs' dynasty over?

The Chiefs' dynasty is certainly cracking, and the AFC powerhouse may not fill its holes immediately. The Chiefs will have limited spending room this offseason. Spotrac estimates they'll be $34.43M over the cap in 2026. Only the Dallas Cowboys ( $36.56M) have less projected cap space than Kansas City.

Instead of splurging in free agency, Kansas City should rebuild through the NFL Draft. But it's lacking in draft capital, owning six picks.

That will make it more challenging for the Chiefs to replace older stars, like 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce. The pass-catcher — who leads the team in receiving yards (797) this season — is in the final year of a two-year, $34.25M contract and could retire this offseason to spend more time with fiancee Taylor Swift.

The Chiefs' problems extend beyond finding a replacement for Kelce. They struggle to protect the quarterback, ranking fifth in the league in pressures allowed (135), per Pro Football Reference. They can't rush the passer, either, as they're tied for 20th in the league in sacks (29).

Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes, who suffered an ACL tear against the Chargers, isn't expected to return until some point during the 2026 season. When he does, the two-time league MVP may not be able to save the Chiefs.

After winning his third Super Bowl during the 2004 season, former New England Patriots QB Tom Brady didn't hoist the Lombardi Trophy again until the 2014 season. Like the seven-time Super Bowl champion, Mahomes may endure a championship drought. The Chiefs' kingdom is clearly falling apart, and they're not in a position to rebuild it quickly.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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