While many individuals support the Kansas City Chiefs, a far greater number do NOT. This 2025 Defector NFL team preview is aimed at the latter audience. You can find all the previews so far here.
Your Team: “The Last Great American Dynasty”
Your 2024 Record: “Sweet Nothing”
The Chiefs boasted a 15-2 record last year and reached the Super Bowl, but don’t be fooled: their performance was abysmal. Statistically, they were the luckiest team in football history—perhaps ever. According to the FTN Football Almanac, their record far exceeded expectations by the largest margin since the merger.
Advanced stats hardly capture the astounding luck the Chiefs faced last season. In the playoffs, for instance, 12 out of their 17 victories came by a mere one score. Notably, they triumphed over the Broncos due to a blocked field goal and narrowly beat the Ravens because of an out-of-bounds call. The Super Bowl could have ended differently had Tampa Bay opted for a two-point conversion or if a field goal hadn’t bounced in favor of the Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has faced his own decline, impacted by the team’s downturn and an obvious push from the league to uphold his status.
Your Coach: “Mr. Perfectly Fine”
Andy Reid is recognized as a great coach with three Super Bowl titles to his name. Yet, throughout his career, he has never seemed prepared for major games. Having reached six Super Bowls, Reid’s teams have repeatedly trailed by 10 or more points—12 times out of his 18 playoff appearances. A quick glance at the stats reflects this ongoing trend.
In 2024, a disturbing incident occurred when someone shot at the Chiefs’ offices, with one bullet landing dangerously close to Reid’s workspace. The revelation only recently surfaced, adding another layer of chaos surrounding the franchise.
Your Quarterback: “Hits Different”
Patrick Mahomes, the star quarterback, struggles with commercials, providing a lackluster presence compared to his peers. Over the last two seasons, Mahomes has endured 163 QB hits and has faced significant setbacks, leading to the worst performance metrics of his career. If he were to go down, the backup choice is Gardner Minshew, while the team’s top wide receiver, Rashee Rice, is serving a suspension.
The Chiefs’ defense has mixed reviews, but their Super Bowl performance was notably poor, allowing 40 points. Despite these issues, there’s hope for the future—often a mark of the Chiefs in past seasons, which may offer a glimmer of optimism.
