Can the Chiefs Get Back on Track?

August 13th, 2025

By Stephen Juza

Last week, we focused on how likely it would be for the Philadelphia Eagles to repeat as Super Bowl champions. This week, our article examines what needs to happen for the Kansas City Chiefs to retain their place at the top of the league

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Since Patrick Mahomes took over as starting quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have been one of the most dominating dynasties in NFL history. Five Super Bowl appearances, three victories, and seven straight AFC Championship appearances. In February, the Eagles beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl and denied them three straight Super Bowl victories - a feat never accomplished in the modern NFL.

But as dominating as the Chiefs have been, dynasties are brittle. It takes a combination of skill and luck to reach the heights the Chiefs already have accomplished, so today, we look at two things that stand in the Chiefs way en route to their fourth Super Bowl of the Andy Reid era: Roster and Coaching.

Roster Construction

As long as Mahomes is at quarterback, the Chiefs will be a contender. But if the roster slips too much, they will be a contender in the same way that the New Orleans Saints were a constant contender with Drew Brees. While Brees was one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, they only one a single Super Bowl despite seven NFC South titles. Brees was good enough to keep the offense competitive, but the rest of the team could not match his performance.

With the Chiefs, general manager Brett Veach has done a fantastic job of keeping a top tier roster in place. It certainly helps when you have several key pieces in Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones. With anchors at those positions, it has offered the team more flexibility. When All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill wanted a new contract, Veach traded him to the Miami Dolphins for five draft picks. While Hill continued to perform in Miami, the Chiefs ended up winning consecutive Super Bowls.

The Chiefs could afford to trade one of their best players because of the depth on the team. However, with Kelce reaching the end of his career, it’s imperative that Chiefs have a new receiving threat emerge to give Mahomes a new weapon. One key weapon for the Chiefs will be Hollywood Brown. After missing almost all of the last season with an injury, he re-signed with the Chiefs for a single season and the team hopes he can be the deep threat that the team can rely on.

Coaching

During the latest dynasty, Reid has worked himself into the conversation as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, and he shows no signs of letting up now. However, there are two things that will challenge the Chiefs in the coaching realm as they look to retain their championship status: age and competition.

We’ve written before about Reid’s age before and how it may limit his pursuit of the all time wins record. But beyond the head coach, the Chiefs have one of the best defensive coordinators ever (Steve Spagnuolo) leading their defense. Until one of them leaves, the Chiefs will likely outmatch any opposing coaching staff they will face. Which is especially difficult, because the AFC West has one of the most impressive quartet of head coaches ever assembled.

Reid’s opposing head coaches in the AFC West all have won championships, either Super Bowls or NCAA championships. Raiders head coach Pete Carroll has won both. The collective success between the AFC West has certainly raised the stakes each week. In a league where every game matters, there will be no easy game in the division. While the Chiefs remain the top of the division, with three other teams breathing down their necks with championship pedigrees, they have to bring their best every week.

The Chiefs kick off their season on September 5th against their division rivals, the Los Angeles Chargers.