The Kansas City Chiefs' reign over the AFC didn't just end Sunday; it broke into a million pieces.
After seeing their run of nine consecutive AFC West titles come to a screeching halt last week, the Chiefs' 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead assured that Andy Reid's club will not be a part of the postseason for the first time since 2014. The NFL's longest active playoff streak (10 years) was shattered.
"Guys are down," Reid said after the loss, via the team's official transcript. "They busted their butt to win the game, and I wouldn't expect anything less. It's not a great feeling. I wouldn't expect it to be after losing a game."
For just the second time in Reid's 13 seasons with the Chiefs, K.C. hasn't qualified for the postseason.
Sunday marked the first three-game losing streak of Patrick Mahomes' career, who had been 6-0 in his career when facing a potential three-game skid.
It was also the first time since Mahomes took over as the starter that he had been eliminated prior to overtime of the AFC Championship Game. Mahomes' seven-season streak of playing in the conference title game fell one short of tying Tom Brady for most in the Super Bowl era.
"Every year is a journey. Success is rented every year," All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones said after the loss. "Every year you get to rent success and sometimes it doesn't go the way you plan for it to go. It's a learning curve for you guys and especially us. I think we learned a lot this year and we understand the fact that in order to be successful, it's an everyday thing. It's not one week you put in and next week, no. It's a consistent thing and we have a lot of guys coming back and they know that it's rented every year. Just because last year's team made the Super Bowl, that doesn't guarantee success.
"You know, we have three more games which we have to finish strong still, as competitors, as employees of this organization. I think it's important to finish strong and play with pride. Most importantly, play for yourself. The name on the back of your jersey, and also the name on the front of your jersey. I think it's going to be competitive for us, and we're going to keep on going. (It's) something to build off of and (I'm) looking forward to next year."
Of course, the big question looming in Kansas City is what might 2026 look like for Chiefs Kingdom.
Will Mahomes be ready for start of 2026 campaign?
There is no good time for a season-ending injury, but the ones that happen in December and January are particularly brutal. Mahomes going down with a torn ACL late in the fourth quarter of the season-deciding loss thrust uncertainty into the 2026 campaign.
At times this season, Mahomes looked tired. Tired of carrying an offense that has become far too reliant on his otherworldly gifts. Tired of being forced to have all the answers when things go awry. Tired of a nagging knee issue. Tired from playing 21 playoff games over the past seven seasons.
The weight of all those deep playoff runs seemed to finally catch up to the Chiefs. Before the knee injury, Mahomes could have used some rest if K.C. was eliminated. Instead of genuine rest this offseason, he'll be rehabbing just to have a shot at playing early in the 2026 season. An injury that usually comes with a 9-to-12 month recovery timeline will have Mahomes questionable to start the season.
Even if he's able to play to open the 2026 season, how much offseason work will Mahomes have gotten in to prepare? How much will his mobility be hindered early in the season? These are questions that will be asked ad nauseam from now through training camp.
Who will be the Chiefs' backup or stand-in?
Gardner Minshew will have a three-week audition to prove he can be the stand-in if Mahomes isn't ready to go to start 2026. His interception to seal Sunday's loss was a poor start.
Minshew has been a rollercoaster through his career, showing flashes of playmaking but turning the ball over in droves. At this point, he is who he is. The question is whether Reid trusts him to run the offense during camp and open the season if Mahomes isn't ready. Minshew signed a one-year contract in the offseason, so K.C. could look elsewhere for a veteran option.
Russell Wilson, Marcus Mariota, Jimmy Garoppolo, Carson Wentz (a former Chief), Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers are the top veterans slated for free agency who aren't also coming off an injury (Daniel Jones). A veteran like Kirk Cousins could also be cut loose in the offseason.
Do the Chiefs draft a QB?
Mahomes' presence has afforded the Chiefs the luxury of eschewing the QB position in the draft. K.C. hasn't selected a signal-caller since trading up for Mahomes in the first round of 2017. That run of eight straight seasons might come to an end.
No one is suggesting that Kansas City should look for someone to replace Mahomes. Even after the injury, the 30-year-old has many, many more years ahead. But we know injuries can mount, particularly with age. K.C. would be wise to add a young, cheap passer in the mid-to-late rounds who can grow in the system and provide better insurance than the veteran-journeyman shuffling they've gone through since Chad Henne retired. It might not help them in 2026, but in the long run, developing someone in-house would provide the best insurance in the event Mahomes faces multi-year injuries.
Is it the end of the line for Travis Kelce?
The 36-year-old Kelce entered last offseason motivated after a Super Bowl embarrassment. The talk all summer was about how he was dedicated, had slimmed down and was ready to get back to his All-Pro self. It didn't help.
The future Hall of Famer has put up the most disappointing season in recent memory. Kelce showed flashes Sunday, catching seven passes for 70 yards, but the production has been far too inconsistent for a player of his caliber. Tight ends rarely make it to 36. Kelce's shown why. At some point, all those physical plays catch up. The mind and the body aren't synced up, and it leads to uncharacteristic play like the drops that have plagued the normally sure-handed star.
For long stretches this season, Kelce looked like it was the final run. The only way I can see him returning is if his competitive spirit won't allow him to go out this way. He returned after a Super Bowl loss, determined to prove that's not how it'd end. Will he go out with his final season missing the postseason and his last target coming from Gardner Minshew?
Kelce is a free agent in 2026.
What changes will be made to the roster?
Mahomes' play has masked some glaring roster holes. Despite the efforts to build up the receiving corps, things just haven't clicked. Xavier Worthy isn't Tyreek Hill. Rashee Rice has hiccupped his way through three seasons. Kelce got old. The run game is Kareem “three yards and a cloud of dust” Hunt and little else. Plus, the offensive line has been banged up and ineffective.
The defense lacks a pass-rush pairing with Jones and George Karlaftis, leaving the back end exposed, particularly after injuries struck.
With the warts laid bare, how will Reid and general manager Brett Veach tackle the issues this offseason? Sitting at a projected $40-plus million over the cap, the Chiefs could look to move on from some veterans who've hung on over the years.
Dynasties rise and fall.
The Chiefs' incredible streak ended, but how they get off the mat in 2026 will tell the story of whether this year was a blip on the radar or a sign of a new future in the AFC.
