The 2026 Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory, with uncertainty surrounding the team’s chances. After a disappointing 6-11 season that kept them out of the playoffs for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid era, KC no longer has the aura of a Super Bowl champ.
Questions remain about issues that plagued the team in 2025 and how they addressed them. Kansas City still has some core pieces from their Super Bowl team, which makes them hopeful about getting back to a place among the NFL’s elite. Now they need to get on the field to prove it.
Big Addition At Running Back To Prove The Offense Has Enough Playmakers
One of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason acquisitions was reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker (1,027 rushing yards). He adds explosiveness and physicality to a running game that ranked 25th in the league. Mahomes is a top QB in the NFL, but shouldn’t be tasked with carrying the offense all by himself. Walker, who split carries in Seattle, is ready to prove he can lead a backfield. He gives the offense a new dynamic and opportunity to generate the big plays on the ground that were sorely missed.
Walker’s importance will be more emphasized, considering Kansas City did not add a proven talent to its receiving corps. The team is focused on the internal development of recent draft picks for Mahomes to throw to.
It starts with future Hall of Fame tight end Travis Kelce (76 catches, 851 yards, 2 touchdowns) returning for a 14th season as the security blanket in the passing attack. Noah Gray is a valuable secondary option at tight end. Rashee Rice is the top wideout on the roster and is ready to be productive after missing part of last season due to suspension.
KC hopes for one of their young wideouts to take another step towards becoming a reliable target. Tyquan Thornton has the speed to be a downfield threat, and the team drafted Cyrus Allen to provide depth and upside to the unit. The team would really benefit from former 1st-round pick Xavier Worthy breaking out, as he possesses game-changing talent that can get the Chiefs offense back to elite production.
Defense With Something To Prove After Revamping Secondary
On defense, a solid core remains, but the Chiefs face the challenge of being as good as they were last season (12th in passing yards allowed, sixth-best scoring defense) after losing major pieces in the secondary.
The team traded All-Pro corner Trent McDuffie and lost their other starter, Jaylen Watson, in free agency. To help replace them, the front office drafted Mansoor Delane 6th overall in the draft. He was a unanimous All-American at LSU and considered one of the top DB prospects. He has expressed a willingness to play wherever the coaching staff wants him, which bodes well for a group in transition.
What can also help out the back end is if the front seven can put consistent pressure on the opposing team. Chris Jones is back for his 11th season in Kansas City as the anchor of the defensive line, looking to continue his strong production (87.5 career sacks).
Jones will be joined inside by rookie Peter Woods, whom the team drafted with the pick acquired in the McDuffie trade, while George Karlaftis (6 sacks) will provide a pass rush off the edge. Linebackers Nick Bolton (154 tackles, 1 INT) and Drue Tranquill (103 tackles, 2 sacks) stabilize the entire defense in the middle against both the run and the pass.
2026 Kansas City Chiefs Can Set The Tone For The Season With A Strong Week 1 Showing
The Chiefs will be tested right out of the gate when they host the division rival Denver Broncos in week one. It will be the first chance to show that last season was an exception and that they are still a contender. It will be important to see if Mahomes is back to full strength after suffering the late-season injury.
More importantly, to see if the supporting cast will be able to step up and give the Chiefs more firepower. The hope is that Walker helps Head Coach Andy Reid establish a running game, and the rookies can help the defense remain a strong unit for a more complete team in 2026.
Denver represents what Kansas City has been for years: Super Bowl contention with a dynamic franchise QB, a strong coaching staff, and an elite defense. Being able to beat their rivals would be the start of KC showing they are still in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.
