The NFL playoffs and the road to the Super Bowl will not include the Kansas City Chiefs this season — their first absence since 2014. Does it mark the end of an era for one of the league’s modern dynasties?
Andy Reid’s team were officially eliminated from postseason contention after a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, combined with wins for the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. The campaign was further devastated by a late injury to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, complicating preparations for next year.
Having reached five of the last six Super Bowls, the Chiefs now face uncharted territory this offseason. Observers point to several contributing factors: cumulative wear from prolonged deep playoff runs, limited reinvestment in draft and free agency, and a lack of established WR1s beyond the core veterans.
Sky Sports NFL’s Phoebe Schecter noted the toll of sustained postseason runs — longer seasons, more physical and emotional fatigue — and argued the Chiefs have not consistently replenished talent through the draft or free agency. “They don’t have a ton of star receivers, you’re relying on people like Travis Kelce,” she said, adding that rebuilding will be necessary and comparing Kansas City’s depth-building unfavorably to teams like the Philadelphia Eagles.
Neil Reynolds called this “maybe the end of the first iteration of the Chiefs,” drawing parallels to past dynasties that faded before re-emerging. He questioned whether the franchise has failed Mahomes by not providing a true number-one receiver or a star running back, suggesting the team may have relied too heavily on Mahomes to bail them out.
Statistically, Mahomes endured one of his roughest campaigns on the way to last year’s Super Bowl, with the Chiefs leaning heavily on a strong defense during many close games. While some production improved in 2025, inconsistency remained, and Mahomes repeatedly had to create plays with limited options. Jeff Reinebold praised the sustained excellence the Chiefs have shown over the years but acknowledged that “eventually it just runs out” — pointing to aging stars like Kelce and puzzling roster construction at key offensive positions.
The emotional impact of the elimination was stark. Defensive lineman Chris Jones, who took the podium after the loss, had to ask if the Chiefs were already out of playoff contention — illustrating how surreal the moment felt to players accustomed to prolonged success. Jason Bell observed that rebuilding while accustomed to winning is difficult because it forces the organization to decide what to change only after things fall apart, and he described Mahomes’ injury as the worst-case scenario.
After a decade of dominance — 10 straight playoff appearances, nine consecutive division titles, and seven straight AFC Championship Game berths — the Chiefs’ run has paused. The offseason will likely require difficult decisions on roster upgrades, draft strategy, and how to support Mahomes on his return from knee surgery.