🚨 DISAPPOINTING 2025 SEASON FOR THE CHIEFS: WHAT MUST ANDY REID FIX IN THE OFFSEASON? The 2025 NFL season will be remembered as one of the most surprising letdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in recent memory, the Chiefs failed to even make the playoffs, leaving their Super Bowl aspirations in the dust. This is a team that, for the better part of the decade, has been in the hunt for championship glory under the leadership of head coach Andy Reid and with the stellar play of quarterback Patrick Mahomes. To think they missed the playoffs altogether is a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the harsh reality that the Chiefs now must face as they head into an offseason filled with critical decisions.

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The Patrick Mahomes Dilemma: The Offseason Recovery

One of the biggest questions heading into the offseason will undoubtedly be the health of Patrick Mahomes. The star quarterback’s status for the beginning of next season remains uncertain, as injuries took a significant toll on his play in 2025. Mahomes, the heart and soul of the team, had to battle through pain all season long, and the Chiefs’ struggles without him at full strength were evident.

With Mahomes’ status up in the air, the Chiefs’ priority must be allowing him the time he needs to recover fully. They cannot afford to rush him back before he’s 100 percent, as this could jeopardize not only his future but the team’s chances in the long term. However, as Mahomes continues his recovery, the Chiefs will need to shift their focus to other areas of the team to make sure they can support their star quarterback once he returns to form.

The Heavy Burden on Mahomes: A One-Man Show

For years, the Chiefs have been heavily reliant on Mahomes to lead the offense. While he has delivered time and time again, carrying the team on his back is not sustainable. In 2025, it became clear that Mahomes was asked to do too much—especially with the lack of consistent support around him. The offense was often a one-man show, with Mahomes attempting to carry the entire burden. As talented as he is, there’s only so much a quarterback can do without help from his teammates.

As the Chiefs look ahead to 2026, the organization must address this imbalance. They need to provide Mahomes with more help, both in the passing game and with a more reliable offensive attack. It’s time for the Chiefs to diversify their offensive strategy, ensuring Mahomes isn’t always forced to shoulder the weight of every game.

Andy Reid’s Offensive Strategy: What Needs to Change?

As much as Andy Reid is revered as one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, 2025 showed that there are areas of his scheme that need improvement. While flashes of brilliance appeared throughout the season, consistency was a major issue. At times, the offense looked unstoppable, but there were just as many stretches where they were unable to move the ball effectively.

Reid will have to figure out how to make his offense more balanced and unpredictable. The Chiefs can no longer afford to rely solely on Mahomes’ incredible arm and playmaking ability. They need to create an offense that can consistently move the ball and put points on the board without making Mahomes the only option. Whether it’s through better utilization of the running game, incorporating more under-center plays, or refining their use of the run-pass option (RPO), Reid needs to find the right formula to ensure the offense can operate at a high level week in and week out.

One of the biggest questions Reid faces is how to define the Chiefs’ offensive identity. What will the Chiefs do when things aren’t going well? Will they continue to rely on Mahomes to make magic happen, or will they find other ways to attack opposing defenses when the passing game is stalling? It’s critical for Reid to figure out the one thing this offense can rely on when the pressure is on, and make it a staple of the game plan.

Defensive Concerns: Pressure on the Quarterback

While much of the focus has been on the offensive struggles, the Chiefs’ defense also has its own set of issues to address this offseason. The most glaring of those concerns is the lack of consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Chiefs’ defensive line failed to generate the kind of pressure needed to disrupt offenses in 2025, relying far too often on sending extra defenders to create havoc.

However, as we’ve seen in recent seasons, sending the house every time isn’t always a sustainable strategy. The Chiefs need to find a way to generate pressure with just their four down linemen. This would not only free up the linebackers and secondary to focus on coverage but also help prevent big plays that arise from sending too many defenders and leaving coverage gaps. The Chiefs’ defense has some solid pieces, but getting more out of the defensive line should be a priority this offseason.

Building for the Future: How the Chiefs Can Rebuild Their Identity

As the Chiefs’ roster is evaluated this offseason, it’s clear that there are foundational pieces in place, but a lot needs to change to make sure the team is back in Super Bowl contention. Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ front office must be strategic in their approach, finding the right balance between developing young talent and bringing in veteran reinforcements.

There’s still time for the Chiefs to turn things around, but they will need to be active and smart in free agency and the draft. Helping Mahomes by adding offensive weapons, bolstering the offensive line, and strengthening the defense will be the key to getting back on track. The Chiefs can’t rely on Mahomes alone to lead them to victory; they need to provide a more balanced and complete team to compete for championships.

Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead for the Chiefs

The 2025 season was a disappointment, but it also provides a clear road map for the Chiefs to rebuild and refocus. If Andy Reid and the front office can address the issues on both sides of the ball, the Chiefs could quickly return to Super Bowl contention in 2026. The most important thing is getting Mahomes back to full health and making sure he has the support he needs on offense and defense. This offseason is a critical one for the Chiefs, and the decisions they make will determine whether they bounce back stronger or continue to struggle.