The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of the playoffs in a disastrous 2025 season, and an early prediction of the coming year brings another warning for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs failed to follow up on their three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, struggling throughout the 2025 season before the wheels fell off when Mahomes was injured in December. The team now faces a long offseason and an uncertain timeline for Mahomes to recover, leading to a dire prediction in the first power rankings of the coming NFL year.
Chiefs Could Struggle to Make Playoffs Again
In a power ranking of the 2026 season published just minutes after the Seattle Seahawks finished off the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, ESPN’s Nate Taylor predicted the Chiefs would face some big obstacles.
The outlet ranked the Chiefs at No. 12, which would likely put them on the fringes of playoff contention. Taylor wrote that the Chiefs face a big challenge in bringing a new infusion of talent around Mahomes.
“While quarterback Patrick Mahomes rehabs his left knee, coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach have to improve the roster to better support their quarterback,” Taylor wrote. “The Chiefs need to have an offseason similar to 2022, which continued the franchise’s dynastic run. With a rare top-10 draft pick, they have the opportunity to acquire a difference-maker. With proper youth and the right veterans acquired, the Chiefs can restart their quest for another Super Bowl.”
But the Chiefs would have plenty of competition. The power ranking put the Patriots at No. 2, while the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills also reached the top five.
Patrick Mahomes Faces Uncertain Future
It’s not clear yet if Mahomes will be ready to start the 2026 season, especially given the complicated nature of his injury. He suffered both a torn ACL and LCL, undergoing surgery in December with not definitive timeline of when he could return to the field.
Speaking to reporters in January, Mahomes said he has been hitting his rehab milestones so far, while keeping a careful pace so not to overdo it.
“Rehab is going great so far,” Mahomes said. “I’ve been doing all of it here in Kansas City, and [Assistant Athletic Trainer] Julie [Frymyer] has been crushing it [and] pushing me. The doctor gives you goals to [reach], and I just try to maximize those. They [have to] hold me back because I always want to go a little bit further, so it’s been going great.”
Mahomes said he will be remaining in Kansas City for his rehab, with a goal of returning to the field for the start of the 2026 season.
“Obviously, I want to be ready for Week 1,” Mahomes explained. “The doctor said I could be, [and while we] can’t predict what’s going to happen throughout the process, that’s my goal. I’ll try to prepare myself to play in Week 1, and have no restrictions.”
If Mahomes is not ready to go, the Chiefs may need to find another option at quarterback. Backup Gardner Minshew will head to free agency, while third-stringer Chris Oladokun struggled at times in his relief starts
Chiefs Face Clear Patrick Mahomes Warning After Super Bowl