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The Kansas City Chiefs had a difficult 2025-26 season, but it’s not all bad news. Patrick Mahomes and the team have some positives.
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs had a rough 2025-26 season, ending the run with an uncharacteristic 6-11 record and far outside of playoff contention. But, it’s not all bad news, all the time.
Sure, Mahomes suffered a serious ACL and LCL injury during the season, and now, he’s rehabbing from it. But, that was a low point in the season, and the fundamentals of the Kansas City Chiefs are still strong.
Now, Mahomes and the Chiefs are getting some good news in the form of respect for their franchise and what they can do in the 2026-27 season. Just because the Chiefs had an off year last season, they’re still considered one of the favorites to go all the way when they step on the field in September.
Las Vegas Still Believes in the Kansas City Chiefs
The oddsmakers in Las Vegas are still ranking the Kansas City Chiefs as one of the strongest teams in the AFC. That’s great news and a confidence booster for the team.
According to Draft Kings, Kansas City is projected to have 10.5 wins next year. They’re also No. 3 in the AFC, only behind the Ravens at No. 1 and Bills at No. 2.
In a feature out on Thursday, February 19, for Arrowhead Addict, Matt Conner notes, “One year after the AFC West was twisted enough for the Chiefs to land in third place overall, the reigning division champs, the Denver Broncos, still haven’t earned the benefit of the doubt that they’ll repeat in 2025.”
He adds, “Denver is listed on the next tier of teams at 9.5 wins. There is, however, a consistent belief in the Las Vegas Raiders’ inability to do anything but lose games, as they’ve been given a 5.5 over/under win total.”
A Confidence Booster for Patrick Mahomes
Conner adds that this whole thing is a confidence booster in the team. It shows that those in Vegas believe in Mahomes.
“For now, it’s clear that Vegas oddsmakers maintain a fierce belief in Patrick Mahomes and his ability to return to the postseason after a shocking collapse in 2025,” Conner notes in the piece. “The Chiefs have earned that much after playing in five Super Bowls in a six-year span.”
He adds, though, that “the very real roster concerns facing K.C. this offseason also show that clouds are on the horizon, and it’s quite possible that such projections reflect the last vestiges of faith for a franchise that’s ruled the NFL for years.”
According to research from ESPN, for the 2025-26 NFL season, Mahomes had 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 14 games. That’s not a weak showing, but it wasn’t enough to get him into the top tier of signal-callers going into the 2026-27 run.
In Pro Football Focus’ final edition of quarterback rankings, Nick Akridge has Mahomes at No. 20, according to Bob McCullough of Chiefs Roundtable. So, that’s not great news.
“Was Mahomes really that bad? Yes and no,” McCullough says in a Sunday, February 15, piece. He had some stretches in the first half-dozen games when the Chiefs offense looked like a juggernaut, but when the cracks in the roster began to surface, he was unable to work his usual magic.”
He adds of Mahomes, “The problems are familiar by now. Key injuries in the offensive line forced Mahomes to run for his life in too many games, especially when rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons added to the problem by taking a leave of absence for personal reasons.”
Anne Erickson is an award-winning reporter for Heavy Sports covering the NFL, NBA and college football. Anne Erickson has years of experience covering the NFL and additional sports, and her work has been published via ESPN, Fox Sports and more. She has interviewed some of the biggest names in sports, including Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff. Erickson also hosts several podcasts and is a Detroit-based radio host. More about Anne Erickson
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