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[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Raiders Week 18 Thursday injury report: 4 players held out

Each practice day of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs release an official injury report leading up to the next game. In the NFL’s Week 18, the Chiefs will be on the road against the Las Vegas Raiders for a Sunday matchup at 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Time.

Here is the Chiefs’ second official injury report of the week:

Chiefs​

Player	Ps	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Status
Kareem Hunt	RB	Illness	DNP	DNP	–	–
Xavier Worthy	WR	Illness	DNP	DNP	–	–
Trey Smith	G	Ankle	DNP	DNP	–	–
James Winchester	LS	Illness	FP	DNP	–	–
Isiah Pacheco	RB	Rest	LP	LP	–	–
Jaylon Moore	T	Knee	LP	LP	–	–
George Karlaftis	DE	Rest	LP	LP	–	–
Jake Briningstool	TE	Hamstring	FP	FP	–	–
Derrick Nnadi	DT	Illness	FP	FP	–	–
Kristian Fulton	CB	Knee – Wrist	FP	FP	–	–

Raiders​

Player	Ps	Injury	Wed	Thu	Fri	Status
Geno Smith	QB	Ankle	DNP	DNP	–	–
Raheem Mostert	RB	Knee – Ankle	FP	DNP	–	–
Dylan Parham	G	Illness	DNP	DNP	–	–
Adam Butler	DT	Biceps	DNP	DNP	–	–
Jack Bech	WR	Back	FP	FP	–	–
Tyler Lockett	WR	Shoulder	–	FP	–	–

Some notes​

• The Chiefs’ list grew a little longer on Thursday, as long snapper James Winchester (illness) — a full participant on Wednesday — was held out of practice. Three other players once again did not participate, but just one of them — right guard Trey Smith (ankle) — is injured. Running back Kareem Hunt amd wide receiver Xavier Worthy are still ill.
• “He’s pushed through [with] that ankle,” said head coach Andy Reid of Smith’s injury on Monday, “and he would probably push through this game, too — but I’m most likely going to hold him back a little bit.”
• Three Kansas City players were limited participants on Thursday. Only offensive lineman Jaylon Moore (knee) is actually injured; running back Isiah Pacheco and defensive end George Karlaftis were both given rest periods.
• The Raiders had three starters who did not participate in Wednesday’s practice: Quarterback Geno Smith (ankle), defensive tackle Adam Butler (biceps) and guard Dylan Parham (illness). One more was added on Thursday: backup running back running back Raheem Mostert (knee – ankle) was downgraded from full participation.
• “I don’t think he’s going to be able to make that recovery,” said head coach Pete Carroll of Smith’s ankle injury. “We wish that he could — and I hate closing the door on any opportunity — but it’s going to be really hard for him.” Carroll added that Kenny Pickett will start in Smith’s place, but both Pickett and Aidan O’Connell will play.
• Butler’s biceps injury from the team’s Week 17 game is not as severe as first believed, but his status for Sunday’s game remains unknown.

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For the Wednesday injury report, click here.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-18-thursday-injury-report-4-players-held-out

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

All 3 Chiefs’ coordinators reflect on disappointing 2025 season

Ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, the team’s three coordinators took questions from the press for the final time during the 2025 season.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo assured his listeners that even though neither team has a playoff stake in this game, there will be plenty at stake in Las Vegas.

“We’re fighting for some things in this last game that we want to hang our hat on,” he explained. “I’m not a big stat guy — I don’t go into them — but I hear the guys talking about it, so there’s a lot of pride there in this last game.”

The Chiefs are one of only six NFL teams that have allowed less than 20 points per game this season. If that holds, it would be the third consecutive season Kansas City has hit that benchmark — after a stretch of three years allowing 22 points per game.

With only a 6-10 record to show for it, a celebration may not be warranted. Still, Spagnuolo’s unit was a key reason many of the Chiefs’ battles remained close.

“There were some really good stretches of defense,” he noted. “I go back to the Indianapolis Colts game where we had those five or six straight three-and-outs. There were some games in there where we played winning football and helped our team get in a position to win.”

Unfortunately, Kansas City had a 1-8 record in one-score games.

“What was disappointing — I haven’t gone back and reflected on all of it — was some end-of-game defense that I would have liked to have back,” said Spagnuolo. “If we could have found a way to make one play towards the end of the game, it either would have given our offense the ball back or we would have found a way to win the game. That more than anything sticks out. If we can get better at that, I’ll be happy.”

The Chiefs’ special teams coordinator Dave Toub shared that sentiment from a different perspective.

“We just didn’t make plays,” he told reporters. “We just couldn’t get a game where we made plays to win the game — and I’m just speaking on my end of it. In the past, we’ve done that a lot of times. The way we started out in Brazil — with the fast field goal that we did? That was awesome. That was cutting-edge… then [Harrison] Butker ends up missing five kicks in September. That was like a Debbie Downer right there.”

Among the nine kicks Butker has missed in the 2025 season, five occurred in September. That set up the veteran kicker for criticism throughout the year.

“It says something that he got off to a bad start,” said Toub, “[and] then it was always there: the doubt, ‘Is he going to make it or is he not?’ Then he had a good string in October and November [before] it popped up again in December. That’s kind of how the year went for us.”

But there were some bright spots in Toub’s evaluation of the season.

“I think now we finally cracked the top-10 as far as our kickoff goes,” he said. “We had a lot of young players — and they just keep getting better and better — so I’m happy with that. Kickoff return… not where I wanted it to be at this point. We’re probably in the middle of the pack, towards the 20s there, and that’s just not good enough; we have to do a better job getting some bigger returns in kick return.”

In Week 17, rookie running back Brashard Smith fielded the first two punt returns of his career. He navigated traffic to gain 44 yards on the second, garnering excitement from Toub. Smith could be the solution to a more significant return game.

On the flip side, Kansas City’s kickoff and punt coverage teams have a notable streak through 16 games that everybody would like to keep.

“We didn’t give up anything big,” explained Toub. “We still have another game left, but we didn’t give up a touchdown to this point, which is always good. We didn’t give up any huge returns, but we weren’t killing it in the return game on either of them. We just have to keep getting better. I’m excited about our young players. I think going forward, we’re going to take another step for sure.”

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy shared a positive reflection on the season.

“There were parts in the middle of the season where we felt like we were at a peak level offensively,” Nagy noted. “Unfortunately, it didn’t last the whole way through the year — and now here we are playing in this game that is important for us to finish strong. It’s our job to do that: to coach strong, [for] the players to play strong — and in the end, win. The last several games didn’t go how we wanted, but we want to finish on a high note.“

The Chiefs have lost five straight games to this point, an unacceptable finish to the year by anyone’s standards at 1 Arrowhead Drive. From here, it will be about what actions the organization can take to ensure these mistakes aren’t repeated in 2026.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...dinators-reflect-on-disappointing-2025-season

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Raiders: 5 things to watch in Week 18 matchup

A disappointing season for the Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) will come to an end against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) on Sunday. The game will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead time. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

Kansas City is coming off a hard-fought 20-13 loss to the Denver Broncos on Christmas night in Week 17. Despite a lineup laced with backups, the Chiefs kept the game close and had a chance to tie or win on the final possession.

On the other side of this matchup, the Raiders were dismantled at home by the New York Giants. The 34-10 defeat in Week 17 gave Las Vegas the worst record in the NFL this season, and has set them up to have the no. 1 overall draft pick in the 2026 draft.

Kansas City hammered the Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 7, shutting them out to a 31-0 final. This matchup will look much different, with both teams missing key players. Here are five things to watch:

1. A heavier workload for Brashard Smith​

Last week, rookie running back Brashard Smith scored his first career touchdown on a staple design for the Chiefs’ red-zone offense. He has played a limited role all season long, but the highlight-reel play could lead to more opportunities in Week 18, especially with running back Kareem Hunt (illness) missing practice all week.

Smith has primarily impacted the offense as a receiver out of the backfield, but his career high in rushes came back in the first matchup with Las Vegas. By that point, the game was out of hand, and Smith was filling in during garbage time, but he rushed for 39 yards over 14 attempts. This week should be an opportunity for the Chiefs to play him in a more traditional role in the backfield.

2. Jake Briningstool​

Undrafted rookie tight end Jake Briningstool was designated to return from the Reserve/Injured list on December 17th, but has yet to be activated. With only one game remaining, this week could give Kansas City a chance to see what he can do in live action before 2026.

Unfortunately, Briningstool was ruled out from playing on Friday’s final injury report.

Briningstool profiled as an athletic pass catcher out of Clemson, with the ability to pick up yards after the catch and make contested catches using his large frame. He drew attention during training camp before falling to injury. With the Chiefs struggling to find any consistency at the position behind Kelce, it is worth remembering Bringinstool’s name moving into the offseason.

3. Snap management​

With the season nearly over, the Chiefs should be strategic about allowing more backups to play to avoid further injuries heading into the offseason, and also give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate lesser-known players on the roster.

Starting center Creed Humprey has started 84 straight games since entering the NFL in 2021, and will likely want to improve the impressive streak to 85. However, Kansas City should quickly bring in backup Hunter Nourzad to take over snapping duties.

The same strategy should be in place for other players under contract in 2026, like left guard Kingsley Suamataia, defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end George Karlaftis, and linebacker Nick Bolton. They might even look to take out veterans who are slated to hit free agency, like linebacker Drue Tranquill, safety Bryan Cook, wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown.

For every player, the best outcome from Week 18 is finishing the contest healthy.

4. Scoreboard watching​

As it stands, the Chiefs will be picking in the top-10 of the NFL Draft for the first time since 2013. This is not set in stone; there are several games this week that will have implications on the franchise’s final slot.

The best pick Kansas City can secure is the eighth overall, and the lowest is the 12th-overall selection. It will be a premier pick either way.

A loss for the Raiders secures the first overall pick for them; the home team will start former first-round pick Kenny Pickett at quarterback in place of the injured Geno Smith.

The Raiders have lost 10 consecutive games dating back to the Week 7 loss in Kansas City.

Chiefs Kingdom should cheer for the other 6-10 teams— the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals— to win and help the Chiefs maintain position, or move up a slot.

Fans should also be cheering for the 7-9 teams— the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — to win and move out of the top-10.

5. What will the Chiefs do with Travis Kelce?​

This could be it for the Chiefs’ future Hall of Fame tight end.

Over five career games, Travia Kelce has dominated the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium, totaling 38 receptions, 465 yards, and two touchdowns. Also, Kelce caught nine passes for 93 yards during Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas roughly two years ago.

Kelce has stated he will make a retirement decision this offseason. Regardless, the perennial All-Pro is 161 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards on the season. So if this is it, and the team knows it internally, the team should give him the chance to make a Herculean effort and reach this milestone.

Greatness only comes around so often, so let’s enjoy it while we still can.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...91272/5-things-to-watch-vs-raiders-in-week-18

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 players that stood out in College Football Playoff quarterfinals

Over the two-day celebration bringing in the new year, there were four College Football Playoff quarterfinal games featuring plenty of top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs to consider in the 2026 NFL Draft.

In case you missed it, Arrowhead Pride analyzed five college players before the first round began. Here are 5 more draft prospects to know, including what their most recent performances say about their NFL potential:

1. DE Rueben Bain Jr, Miami​

Bain has been one of the key reasons Miami is one win away from playing in the National Championship. He followed up a dominant three-sack performance against Texas A&M in the first round with one sack and multiple pressures in the Hurricanes’ upset win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.

Bain is considered one of the best edge rushers in the class, but due to his stocky frame — listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 270 pounds — there are questions about how high he will be drafted in the first round.

On Wednesday night against the Buckeyes, Bain displayed a great feel for rushing with speed and power, an understanding of pass-rush angles, an ability to bend arcs and solid hand usage to beat blockers inside after the outside rush is blocked.

Bain has certainly turned up the intensity in the playoffs. With another big performance, he could be a top-five pick.

— Caleb James

2. DE David Bailey, Texas Tech​

Texas Tech might’ve lost to Oregon in the Orange Bowl, but it wasn’t because of the Red Raiders’ defense. The unit lived up to high expectations and held strong on most of its possessions, despite playing from opposing territory for the entire game.

David Bailey was at the center of the stifling effort; he was constantly in the backfield. He earned his first sack by using the elite bend and explosiveness that make him a highly sought-after prospect, but he’s not just a speed rusher. Bailey has a strong upper body and enough length to crush the pocket with speed-to-power.

During an impressive all-around performance, Bailey’s awareness stood out. He blew up multiple sprintouts by tracking the ball like a linebacker and deflecting it. He set the edge, but also slipped blocks to get tackles for loss.

With an impactful performance in the biggest game of his life, Bailey is looking more the part of a blue-chip player. The Chiefs should look heavily at drafting him in April.

— Nate Christensen

3. WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State​

Tate entered the playoffs in the running to be the first offensive weapon selected. While other candidates — like Notre Dame running back Jerimiyah Love — can rest on regular-season highlights, Tate left a bad impression in his final college game.

The national audience watched the star receiver produce just 37 yards over three catches on nine targets. Some incompletions came on rushed throws due to Miami’s pressure, but Tate had difficulty getting open. His best play was a 15-yard catch and run on a slant route that converted third down.

Tate’s outstanding 2025 season should not be ignored, nor should Ohio State’s track record of sending receivers to the NFL. However, the Cotton Bowl magnified the biggest questions Tate faces: Can he handle the volume expected of a top NFL wideout? Also, how much did he benefit from playing opposite a generational receiver prospect, sophomore Jeremiah Smith? The younger receiver had a strong game despite Miami’s defensive prowess.

— Jared Sapp

4. DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech​

Texas Tech’s entire defensive line is awesome. The edge rushers Bailey and Romello Height get the most buzz, but Lee Hunter is also essential to the unit. He is listed at 6 feet 4 inches tall and 330 lbs, built to destroy blocks. Nobody can move him in the middle and double teams don’t bother him.

Throughout the Orange Bowl, Oregon couldn’t move Hunter, leading to a terrible day running the ball. The Ducks’ running backs combined for 36 carries and 89 yards, or 2.5 yards per carry. Hunter deserves a ton of credit for holding up against blocks through all four quarters.

Early in the contest, Hunter blew up a fourth-down sweep play by getting wide and penetrating the line simultaneously. He is an incredible athlete for his size.

From his first day on an NFL field, Hunter will be a gap plugger against the run, but Hunter also has a quick first step and plays hard. His upside as a pass rusher could be limited, but Hunter will be a quality starting nose tackle that should go within the top-100 after this game.

— Nate Christensen

5. RT Francis Mauigoa, Miami​

The enormous Mauigoa dominated the line of scrimmage against Ohio State and led Miami to rack up over 150 rushing yards. At 6 feet 6 inches tall and 315 lbs, Mauigoa is a road-grading right tackle who plays with a nasty streak. His large frame, solid core, and good fundamentals in the run game will make him an immediate starter in the NFL, but his mobility could push him into the top-10.

Despite his large frame, he has nimble feet and clean mechanics in pass protection. His movement skills also help him to climb to the second level and make blocks in space.

The tackle class in the 2026 draft is a bit weaker than years past, so Mauigoa should climb up draft boards, possibly ending up as the top tackle selected.

— Caleb James

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...od-out-college-football-playoff-quarterfinals

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/3: Patrick Mahomes pays off friendly wager with teammate

The latest​

Patrick Mahomes wears Oregon Ducks jersey after lost bet to Jeff Bassa | DucksWire

Following the Ducks‘ dominant 23-0 win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Bassa made sure that his Chiefs’ quarterback, Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes, made good on a bet and wore an Oregon uniform for a social media post.

Mahomes, whose season is over after suffering a torn ACL, was seen on Bassa’s Instagram story in the Chiefs’ training room, wearing a white #2 Oregon jersey, which was Bassa’s from his playing career in Eugene.

Looks like Patrick Mahomes lost a jersey bet to Chiefs rookie Jeff Bassa, when Texas tech lost to Oregon in the Orange Bowl yesterday. QB1 really having a go of it lol pic.twitter.com/ZoJVLhat9s

— Lexi (@lexiosborne) January 3, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders-Kansas City Chiefs: Key numbers | Silver and Black Pride

6-0: The Chiefs are 6-0 at Allegiant Stadium since it opened in 2020. That includes a 2024 Super Bowl win over the San Francisco 49ers.

131: That is the number of receptions Chiefs’ star tight end Travis Kelce has against the Raiders in 23 career games. He may retire after the season.

Chiefs DC, Grafton native, Spagnuolo to be honored by Springfield College | The Gardner News

Spagnuolo earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Springfield in 1982. He was a two-year starting wide receiver for the Pride and he has gone on to unprecedented success as an NFL coordinator. He will be inducted to Springfield’s hall of fame April 11.

Spagnuolo’s coaching career at the collegiate and professional levels spans more than 40 years and began as a graduate assistant at UMass.

“It all kind of began there at Springfield College,” Spagnuolo said before last season’s Super Bowl. “I owe a lot to the foundation that was built there. I loved it.”

Spagnuolo is also a member of Grafton High’s hall of fame.

Around the NFL​

Titans restructure front office: G.M. Mike Borgonzi to lead coaching search, 53-man roster | Pro Football Talk

Team owner Amy Adams Strunk announced that General Manager Mike Borgonzi will lead the club’s upcoming coaching search and have the final say on the club’s 53-man roster. President of football operations Chad Brinker will lead strategic functions like the salary cap and analytics.

Both Borgonzi and Brinker will report directly to Strunk. Their titles will not change.

“Over the past few years, several job descriptions in our football organization were established to address specific situations and challenges that existed at the time,” Strunk said in a letter addressed to Titans fans. “After working together for the past year, they believe — and I agree — there is a long-term benefit to clarifying and honing the focus areas of our football leadership.

To surprise of no one, Colts QB Philip Rivers will retire again following close of 2025 campaign | Stampede Blue

With Rivers’ son a senior next year and also having a soon-to-be 9th grader on the team, Rivers will turn back to coaching high school football again at Saint Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, for 2026.

While he wished the game outcomes had been different, Rivers has publicly stated he had a blast playing again these last three weeks for the Colts. He will likely serve as their emergency QB for the regular season finale against the Houston Texans, with Indianapolis already eliminated from playoff contention.

His shocking 3-game ‘unretirement tour’ likely only helped Rivers’ arguably borderline case for becoming an eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer—even if it delayed his candidacy another five years in waiting. Recency bias and leaving on such a surprisingly positive and feel good story note should resonate very well with the NFL general public and perhaps most importantly, the Hall of Fame voters going forward.

Bills QB Allen (foot) expected to start vs. Jets | ESPN

The Bills have only two quarterbacks on the roster in Allen and backup Mitchell Trubisky. With either of the three wild-card spots the only option for Buffalo, Allen is still expected to start the game to keep his second-longest active starts streak alive (121) but will likely sit to get him ready for the postseason as he did in Week 18 last season.

Other starters and veterans could also get some reduced playing time. Allen is behind only Philip Rivers for the longest active streak (243).

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy now set to interview for Titans’ head coaching job

“I really feel good about where I’m at,” Nagy told reporters on Thursday. “And again, here we are at the end of the season. So this is the time where this stuff comes up.

“I’ve prepared for several years since I went through it at the right time. And everything that I went through in Chicago? It all happened for a reason. And to be able to come back here in Kansas City and be here with Coach Reid and all these players is special.

Social media to make you think​

From @austingayle_ on Chiefs safety Bryan Cook: "It would shock me if he signs for anything less than $15 million per year on the open market."https://t.co/HDUUN8wYM8

— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) January 2, 2026

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-patrick-mahomes-pays-off-wager-with-teammate

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Raiders Week 18 predictions from Arrowhead Pride

Before the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 17 matchup with the Denver Broncos, all but one of our Arrowhead Pride panelists correctly picked the Broncos to win. Our aggregate prediction was for Denver to collect a 23-15 victory, which had just six points of error* compared to the 20-13 final.

In Week 18, the Chiefs are on the road to finish their season against the Las Vegas Raiders. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Kansas City is favored by 4.5 points.

Let’s see what the staff — and our readers — think about the matchup.

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Nate Christensen (@natech32)​

I think it would have been reasonable before this season to say this game would have little at stake in Week 18, but I am not sure either team expected this. The Chiefs were obviously projected to be contenders, but even the Raiders were expecting to be competitive.

Now, however, the Raiders could land the draft’s first overall pick and will likely have a new coach next year. The Chiefs had a disastrous season that kept them out of the playoffs.

I know the Chiefs have lost the last five games, but the current Raiders are a different level of bad — even when compared to the Tennessee Titans. Maxx Crosby was their only good defender, and he’s not playing. Kenny Pickett is playing quarterback without Brock Bowers.

I think Chris Oladokun will have no problem dicing up the Raiders’ current defense, and the Chiefs’ defense has remained competitive after Patrick Mahomes’s injury. I would be shocked if the Raiders won this game.

Chiefs 24, Raiders 10

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John Dixon (@Arrowheadphones)​

Neither of these teams has had a good season. Both will be without significant contributors and will have an incentive to lose the season’s final game to improve their draft position, so this is not exactly a formula for a great matchup. While both squads are led by experienced old-school coaches who are capable of getting their players up for such a contest, only one of them — the Chiefs’ Andy Reid — appears likely to be back in 2026. So on that basis, I would give Kansas City the edge in this game.

Chiefs 20, Raiders 13

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Maurice Elston (@MrMauriceElston)​

This matchup between the Chiefs and Raiders arrives with little at stake on either side. Las Vegas, while unlikely to state it publicly, benefits more from draft positioning than a late-season win. Individual effort should still be present, but there is little incentive for the organization to push aggressively for a result. Kansas City, meanwhile, should approach the game with the intent to win while also using the opportunity to evaluate younger players and depth pieces ahead of the offseason.

How the Chiefs deploy Travis Kelce may be one of the more revealing elements of the afternoon. His usage could offer insight into how the organization views this moment — whether it is simply another game or potentially a closing chapter. Beyond that, the focus should be on rotations, snap distribution, and how the staff manages a game without postseason implications.

With both teams operating outside their usual urgency, the expectation is a cleaner game for Kansas City, driven by structure rather than explosiveness. The Chiefs should have enough control on both sides of the ball to close the season with a win, even as the reality of a January without football sets in.

Chiefs 24, Raiders 13

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Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels)​

I can’t believe this Sunday will be the last time we see Chiefs football until August… but here we are.

This is basically the Tank Bowl. The Raiders will secure the No. 1 draft pick with a loss, while the Chiefs would be locked into a top-10 pick with a loss.

For as bad as things are for the Chiefs, I don’t think they’re bad enough to lose to this Raiders team. Also, it could be Travis Kelce’s last game, so that’s extra motivation for the guys to potentially send him off with a win.

Chiefs 23, Raiders 13

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Caleb James (@CJScoobs)​

Well, it was certainly an interesting season. Far from the championship aspirations of the past eight years, but it should provide the change needed for the team to once again transform into contenders.

For the Chiefs to help themselves out, losing this week would not be the worst thing in the world, but the Raiders are a different type of mess. They will be starting backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, and will be without star pass rusher Maxx Crosby as well as other key contributors.

Poised for the first overall selection in the draft, it would take a truly horrendous effort from Kansas City to lose this one, which is hard to believe considering that the team played with grit on Christmas night despite losing to the Broncos.

The Chiefs’ goal should be to have all key players for 2026 exit the game healthy and get a look at any younger players on the roster who have not received significant playing time this year.

If this is it for Travis Kelce, soak it in because he is one of one. Many will try to replicate, but will never be able to duplicate. Maybe he will be back in 2026, but all eyes will be focused on him this Sunday.

Chiefs 17, Raiders 7

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Rocky Magaña (@RockyMagana)​

Despite it being in the Chiefs’ best interest, I just can’t bring myself to root for them to lose to the Raiders. I’d rather see Las Vegas pick first overall — trusting the team to screw it up like it always does — than for Kansas City to have a better draft position.

Yes… I know that strategically, this makes no sense. But my hatred for all things Silver and Black runs so deep that I can do nothing but wish for their utter obliteration.

It also helps that the Raiders will be doing their best to avoid winning. So I’m expecting bad football from both offenses — and a game that will end with Las Vegas in single digits and Kansas City barely making it to double digits.

It won’t be pretty, but it will be the right way to begin the Chiefs’ 2026 campaign — and the old, bitter part of me that loathes the Raiders will be alive and well as we dance on the grave of their 2025 season.

Chiefs 10, Raiders 6

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Jared Sapp (@TrumanChief)​

I don’t think the Chiefs have been trying to tank, but even if they were, there’s no outtanking the Raiders this week. The Raiders currently hold the top selection in a draft that may end up with only one top quarterback prospect. Las Vegas is not squandering this opportunity.

I think the Chiefs will play loose with minimal resistance from a Raiders squad playing without Maxx Crosby and starting Kenny Pickett at quarterback. This is not how Kansas City envisioned playing Week 18, but I expect the team to make the game as fun as possible.

The Chiefs may or may not know whether this is Travis Kelce’s final game. Either way, I predict he will get as many opportunities as possible to close a frustrating season in style.

Chiefs 27, Raiders 10

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Matt Stagner (@stagdsp)​

In what is sure to be a sad shell of a game, these two division rivals mercifully close out their respective seasons. I sincerely hate (and doubt) the idea that NFL teams ‘tank’ on purpose. The players are going to do everything they can to get a win, and put good football on film. I highly doubt that many players even consider the idea of helping the team’s front office get a higher pick that could be used to replace them.

So, let’s keep expectations low and try to enjoy whatever glimpses of the future we get to see from Brashard Smith, Jalen Royals and Nohl Williams. Let’s marvel at Esa Pole and Chu Godrick as they continue their unlikely NFL paths — and bet on Travis Kelce breaking records.

The superior franchise probably wins here, carried by the defense. A merciful end to a rough season.

Chiefs 15, Raiders 12

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With their predictions aggregated, our panelists expect the Chiefs to win 20-11.

What do you think?

2025 Standings​

TW	LW	Staffer	W	L	Pct	Err
1	2	Mark Gunnels	8	8	0.5000	23.5
2	1	Jared Sapp	8	8	0.5000	23.6
3	3	Maurice Elston	8	8	0.5000	24.3
4	4	Matt Stagner	8	8	0.5000	28.4
5	5	Nate Christensen	7	9	0.4375	23.3
6	5	Caleb James	7	9	0.4375	24.1
7	8	John Dixon	6	10	0.3750	26.5
8	7	Rocky Magaña	5	11	0.3125	30.0

In Week 17, both Nate Christensen and Mark Gunnels predicted the Broncos would beat the Chiefs 23-10. Those picks each missed a total of 12 points. John Dixon’s call for a 27-10 Denver victory was the second-best prediction, with 20 points of error.

*To calculate a prediction’s points of error, the differences between the prediction and the actual score in point spread, home team score and away team score are added together. For example, a prediction calls for a 17-10 Chiefs win. They end up winning 16-10, so there were two points of error: the point spread was off by one point, the Kansas City score missed by one point and the opponent’s score was predicted correctly. But if the Chiefs lose the game 17-10, there were 28 points of error in the prediction: the point spread was off by 14 (the difference between +7 and -7) and both scores missed by 7.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ders-week-18-predictions-from-arrowhead-pride

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Rapid Reaction: 4 instant takeaways from Chiefs’ season finale

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season finished with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. Here are four instant takeaways from the game:

1. Brashard Smith wasn’t used as a running back enough this season​

In his rookie campaign, running back Brashard Smith carved out a role in the Chiefs’ offense where he seldom served as a traditional ball carrier. The only games he was showcased in the backfield were the two matchups with the Raiders. Whether it was the second half of a blowout win or an inconsequential season finale, Smith’s opportunities were limited to garbage time.

In Week 18, Smith was the starting back and finished as the Chiefs’ leading rusher with 57 yards on 11 carries. From the jump, Smith showed patience, vision and explosive cutbacks, producing four rushes of at least eight yards.

As a first-year player, a natural learning curve can affect playing time compared to veteran running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, but it should not keep worthwhile talent off the field. When given the chance, Smith has been a dynamic option in Kansas City’s backfield, but those chances were rare in 2025.

2. Defensive backs laid out to finish the year strong​

This offseason, there will be plenty of discussion about how the Chiefs address the secondary, with cornerback Jaylen Watson and safety Bryan Cook set to be unrestricted free agents.

Regardless of the plan, many of the defensive backs under contract in 2026 finished the regular season strong.

In Las Vegas, safety Chamarri Conner started the game looking to make a play. On Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett’s first dropback, Conner was aggressive in zone coverage, identified a nearby route, anticipated the throw and secured his first interception of the season — the fourth of his career.

It was the first of seven passes Kansas City defenders broke up. Rookie cornerback Nohl Williams recorded two in his fourth consecutive start. Second-year safety Jaden Hicks added one in the third quarter, ranging over the top of a deep throw to the back corner of the end zone and laying out to knock the ball away cleanly.

No returning member of the secondary made a stronger impression over the final three games than cornerback Kristian Fulton. He totaled 10 tackles on a partial workload against the Tennessee Titans, broke up three passes against the Denver Broncos, and repeated that performance against the Raiders with three more pass breakups.

After spending much of the season on the sideline, Fulton gave the team and its fans reason to look ahead to his role in 2026.

3. Hunter Nourzad started for Mike Caliendo​

The starting offense took the field with a new substitute at right guard for Trey Smith: Hunter Nourzad. The second-year offensive lineman replaced Mike Caliendo, who had made four previous starts while Smith was injured.

Caliendo has served as Kansas City’s primary backup at both guard spots since the previous player in that role — Washington Commanders guard Nick Allegretti — left in free agency after the 2023 season. Across two years and a handful of starts, Caliendo has not inspired the same confidence Allegretti once did.

Based on the Week 18 lineup, the Chiefs may be shifting that role to Nourzad, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. In recent games, he had been used as a sixth lineman in short-yardage packages, hinting at the staff’s view entering the finale.

4. The Chiefs will have the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft​

Kansas City’s 11th loss of the season — the sixth straight — secured the organization the ninth overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...91511/rapid-reaction-4-takeaways-from-week-18

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

5 things we learned from the Chiefs’ season-ending loss to the Raiders

Well… the waking nightmare that has been the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season is finally, officially over.

It’s not hyperbole to say that Sunday’s 14–12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders was one of the worst professional football games I’ve had the misfortune of witnessing. For much of the contest, both teams seemed to be trying to one-up each other’s offensive ineptitude. Neither team managed to get much going through the air — and that’s putting it nicely, considering the teams combined for just 170 passing yards.

In the end, the difference was a fourth-quarter safety that gave the Raiders two extra points and set up a 60-yard field goal from Las Vegas kicker Daniel Carlson to win the game.

Here are five things we learned from a Chiefs season finale we’d rather forget.

1. If this was Travis Kelce’s last game, he deserved better​

For someone who has given everything to this franchise and its fans, it felt unjust that this could have been the superstar tight end’s final game with Kansas City.

He is the greatest tight end to ever play football.

He is arguably on the Mount Rushmore of all-time Chiefs — and a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

His name will one day adorn the Ring of Honor.

He deserved a hero’s sendoff — a walk to the sideline accompanied by a cheering crowd and a standing ovation.

He deserved a game plan designed to give him a victory lap and one final bow.

Instead, he was paired with one quarterback who couldn’t get through his reads quickly enough — and another who was either being sacked or having his passes tipped at the line of scrimmage.

It was brutal. It was heartbreaking.

He should have had 16 targets. Instead, he had six.

He should have had 120 receiving yards. He had 12.

He should have gotten his swan song.

Instead, Travis Kelce faded into the silence of the sideline.

And in that silence, one of the greatest careers in NFL history may have come to an end.

2. Chris Oladokun and Shane Buechele are not the answer at backup quarterback​

The Chiefs will be in the market for a new backup quarterback — and possibly a new third-stringer — this offseason. If this game taught us anything, it’s that Oladokun and Buchele are not NFL-caliber options. And if we’re being honest, Gardner Minshew didn’t exactly look electric before injuring his knee in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans.

With the status of franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes — who tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 — still uncertain, the Chiefs must proceed as if he will not be available to start the 2026 season.

That reality raises the bar. This can’t just be a “break glass in case of emergency” option. Kansas City needs someone capable of winning games and keeping the team competitive until Mahomes returns — however long that takes.

3. The Chiefs have decisions to make in the secondary​

Trent McDuffie is the best cornerback on this roster. The Chiefs must decide whether extending his contract aligns with their long-term interests.

The reality is that Kansas City is set to lose multiple defensive backs this offseason. The team could opt to retain a player like Jaylen Watson at a lower cost and roll with Watson, Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton as its top three cornerbacks next season.

The case for that approach is simple: the roster has too many needs to ignore the draft capital a McDuffie trade could return. Unfortunately, neither Watson or Fulton have shown they can be relied upon for a full 17-game season.

4. The Chiefs needed more out of this draft class​

While injuries are complicating the evaluations of draft selections like Josh Simmons and Omarr Norman-Lott, the team didn’t get enough from players such as Jeff Bassa, Ashton Gillotte and Jalen Royals, either.

Nohl Williams emerged as a bright spot at cornerback, while Brashard Smith remains difficult to judge given the expectations attached to a seventh-round pick.

Overall, it was a disappointing year for the rookie class.

If the Chiefs hope to return to form next season, they’ll need to far surpass what this group provided.

5. This team is at a crossroads​

Empires rise and fall — and very few ever rise again.

If the Chiefs want to avoid the fate of the Roman, Persian, Mongol, Ottoman, British, Inca, Aztec, and countless other dynasties, they must reinvent themselves entirely.

The old guard has fallen. The old general’s tactics have been defeated.

It’s time for a new guard to rise — for tacticians to survey the battlefield and invent new ways to inflict harm.

Although this war was lost, a time will come when the drums will beat again.

And on that day, this dynasty will be rebuilt anew.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...earned-from-season-ending-loss-to-the-raiders

 

[Zedster]

Tough way to close out the season. That Raiders game was hard to watch, even by late-season standards when neither team has much to play for.

The Brashard Smith usage really stood out to me too. 57 yards on 11 carries in what was essentially his first real opportunity as a featured back. Patient runner with good vision. Makes you wonder what could have been if they'd given him more looks earlier in the year instead of waiting until the final game.

Kelce's situation is the one that stings the most. If that really was his last game, going out with 12 yards on 6 targets against the Raiders feels wrong. The man deserved a proper sendoff. Hopefully we get some clarity on his decision soon.

The secondary evaluations will be interesting to follow this offseason. Fulton stepping up in those final three games was encouraging. Ten tackles against Tennessee, three pass breakups in each of the last two games. That's the kind of late-season film that could earn him a bigger role next year.

Ninth pick should give them some options. That defensive line talent coming out of the college playoffs looked solid. Bailey and Hunter from Texas Tech both seem like players who could help immediately.

Long offseason ahead.

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

NFL 2026 coaching tracker: Titans request Steve Spagnuolo interview

Starting with Black Monday, we’re tracking the NFL’s 2026 coaching carousel — especially as it relates to the Kansas City Chiefs — right here:

---

Monday, January 5​

• 10:59 a.m. Cardinals have fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, per report.
• 10:16 a.m. Raiders have fired head coach Pete Carroll after one season, per report.
• 9:00 a.m. Bengals are bringing back head coach Zac Taylor for the 2026 season, per team president Mike Brown.
• 8:49 a.m. Titans request interview with Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their HC position, per report.
• 8:41 a.m. Titans request interview with Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Matt Nagy for their HC position, per report.
• 8:00 a.m. Browns relieve head coach Kevin Stefanski of his duties.

News from the run-up to Black Monday​

• January 4 Falcons dismiss head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot from their roles.
• January 3 Michigan hires Chiefs’ defensive line assistant coach Alex Whittingham as its linebackers coach under his father Kyle Whittingham.
• January 2 Report: Titans will interview Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy for their head coaching opening.
• November 10 Giants relieve head coach Brian Daboll of his duties.
• October 13 Titans part ways with head coach Brian Callahan.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...cker-titans-request-steve-spagnuolo-interview

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs-Raiders snap counts: Kansas City unleashes its roster depth

To wrap up the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs lost 14-12 to the Las Vegas Raiders on a game-deciding field goal in the final seconds.

Let’s look at how Kansas City used its players in their final opportunity to gain experience with live reps until August:

---

Starters (offensive): WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR Marquise Brown, TE Travis Kelce, LT Esa Pole, LG Kingsley Suamataia, C Creed Humphrey, RG Hunter Nourzad, RT Chukwuebuka Godrick, WR Jalen Royals, QB Chris Oladokun and RB Brashard Smith.

Starters (defensive): DE Michael Danna, DT Chris Jones, DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Ashton Gillotte, LB Cooper McDonald, LB Nick Bolton, LB Drue Tranquill, CB Kristian Fulton, CB Nohl Williams, S Bryan Cook and S Chamarri Conner.

Did not play: None

Inactive: WR Xavier Worthy, RB Isiah Pacheco, CB Melvin Smith Jr., DE George Karlaftis, DE Tyreke Smith, G Trey Smith and NT Mike Pennel.

The big takeaway​

With a long list of veterans ruled out or on the Reserve/Injured list in Week 18, it was time for the Chiefs’ rookie draft class to be showcased. On offense and defense, every available draft pick played the highest rate of snaps with their respective unit this season:

• CB Nohl Williams (100% of defensive snaps)
• DE Ashton Gillotte (75% of defensive snaps)
• WR Jalen Royals (68% of offensive snaps)
• LB Jeffrey Bassa (35% of defensive snaps)
• RB Brashard Smith (53% of offensive snaps)

Smith was the lead ball carrier against the Raiders. He was on the field for 12 running plays, doubling the number of snaps running back Kareem Hunt saw in that phase. He was also the Chiefs’ punt returner for the second consecutive week. Smith took advantage of those opportunities and flashed playmaking ability, leading to a question for the coaching staff: Why wasn’t he featured in the offense more this season?

Royals was in formation for 77% of Kansas City’s passing plays in Las Vegas. It was the rookie wideout’s first opportunity to contribute to the Chiefs’ passing game; before Week 18, Royals had four passing snaps the entire season.

Offensive takeaways​

When the Chiefs’ offense took the field in Week 18, there was a surprising first-time starter along the offensive line: second-year lineman Hunter Nourzad, who replaced Mike Caliendo at right guard. In the four games starting right guard Trey Smith missed, Caliendo was the substitute each time.

Nourzad played 100% of the snaps in Las Vegas, while Caliendo was a sixth offensive lineman in formation on each of his three offensive snaps. That is a role reversal; in the second half of the season, Nourzad was often the player brought in as the sixth man. While the lineup change could have been a short-term strategy to see more from Nourzad, the coaching staff may have seen enough of Caliendo to look elsewhere for a reliable backup guard in the future.

It’s also worth noting that tight end Jared Wiley played a season-high 19% of the offensive snaps, including 35% of running plays. When he was drafted, it was clear that Wiley could be a playmaking pass catcher. Still, he will need to do more to carve out a larger role in the offense next year. The extended playing time on running calls was a valuable experience for him.

Defensive takeaways​

Throughout the season, the Chiefs’ defensive lineup was tweaked in a search for the right starting 11 players. The back-and-forth playing time was most apparent in the secondary.

Safety Jaden Hicks was a victim of that constant change. The fluctuation of the second-year safety’s snap counts indicates the coaching staff’s lack of trust in him. However, he kept playing hard and finished the season strong. In Las Vegas, Hicks made one of the best plays a Kansas City safety has made all year when he ranged over the top of a deep throw and laid out to deflect the ball away.

The Chiefs’ defense was expected to feature Hicks similarly to former Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid, but that may have been too tall an order for the 23-year-old this year. With a strong finish to this season, Hicks has momentum to realize his potential in 2026 and beyond.

Data​

Offense​

Offense	All	Pass	Run
Total	62 (100%)	39 (100%)	23 (100%)
Creed Humphrey	62 (100%)	39 (100%)	23 (100%)
Hunter Nourzad	62 (100%)	39 (100%)	23 (100%)
Esa Pole	62 (100%)	39 (100%)	23 (100%)
Kingsley Suamataia	62 (100%)	39 (100%)	23 (100%)
Chukwuebuka Godrick	61 (98%)	38 (97%)	23 (100%)
Marquise Brown	50 (81%)	34 (87%)	16 (70%)
Travis Kelce	50 (81%)	34 (87%)	16 (70%)
JuJu Smith-Schuster	48 (77%)	31 (79%)	17 (74%)
Jalen Royals	42 (68%)	30 (77%)	12 (52%)
Noah Gray	34 (55%)	17 (44%)	17 (74%)
Chris Oladokun	33 (53%)	20 (51%)	13 (57%)
Brashard Smith	33 (53%)	21 (54%)	12 (52%)
Shane Buechele	29 (47%)	19 (49%)	10 (43%)
Kareem Hunt	24 (39%)	18 (46%)	6 (26%)
Jared Wiley	12 (19%)	4 (10%)	8 (35%)
Dameon Pierce	5 (8%)	0 (0%)	5 (22%)
Jason Brownlee	5 (8%)	3 (8%)	2 (9%)
Mike Caliendo	3 (5%)	0 (0%)	3 (13%)
Jaylon Moore	2 (3%)	1 (3%)	1 (4%)
Robert Tonyan	2 (3%)	2 (5%)	0 (0%)
Jimmy Holiday	1 (2%)	1 (3%)	0 (0%)

Defense​

Defense	All	Pass	Run
Total	60 (100%)	29 (100%)	31 (100%)
Nick Bolton	60 (100%)	29 (100%)	31 (100%)
Chamarri Conner	60 (100%)	29 (100%)	31 (100%)
Kristian Fulton	60 (100%)	29 (100%)	31 (100%)
Nohl Williams	60 (100%)	29 (100%)	31 (100%)
Bryan Cook	59 (98%)	28 (97%)	31 (100%)
Ashton Gillotte	45 (75%)	21 (72%)	24 (77%)
Charles Omenihu	39 (65%)	24 (83%)	15 (48%)
Michael Danna	36 (60%)	18 (62%)	18 (58%)
Jaden Hicks	36 (60%)	21 (72%)	15 (48%)
Derrick Nnadi	36 (60%)	12 (41%)	24 (77%)
Jerry Tillery	32 (53%)	10 (34%)	22 (71%)
Drue Tranquill	30 (50%)	13 (45%)	17 (55%)
Cooper McDonald	25 (42%)	9 (31%)	16 (52%)
Chris Jones	22 (37%)	16 (55%)	6 (19%)
Jeff Bassa	21 (35%)	8 (28%)	13 (42%)
Kevin Knowles II	14 (23%)	12 (41%)	2 (6%)
Zacch Pickens	12 (20%)	5 (17%)	7 (23%)
Ethan Downs	10 (17%)	4 (14%)	6 (19%)
Mike Edwards	3 (5%)	2 (7%)	1 (3%)

Special Teams​

Special Teams	Snaps
Total	32 (100%)
Jack Cochrane	28 (88%)
Jaden Hicks	27 (84%)
Cooper McDonald	27 (84%)
Joshua Williams	25 (78%)
Jeff Bassa	23 (72%)
Cole Christiansen	23 (72%)
Ethan Downs	22 (69%)
Nazeeh Johnson	21 (66%)
Kevin Knowles II	18 (56%)
Jalen Royals	16 (50%)
Brashard Smith	12 (38%)
Matt Araiza	10 (31%)
Harrison Butker	10 (31%)
Jared Wiley	10 (31%)
Nohl Williams	10 (31%)
James Winchester	10 (31%)
Nick Bolton	5 (16%)
Michael Danna	5 (16%)
Derrick Nnadi	5 (16%)
Jerry Tillery	5 (16%)
Drue Tranquill	5 (16%)
Mike Caliendo	4 (13%)
Noah Gray	4 (13%)
C.J. Hanson	4 (13%)
Creed Humphrey	4 (13%)
Jaylon Moore	4 (13%)
Hunter Nourzad	4 (13%)
Esa Pole	4 (13%)
Kingsley Suamataia	4 (13%)
Bryan Cook	2 (6%)
Ashton Gillotte	1 (3%)

All Snaps​

All Snaps	Off	Def	ST	Total
Total	62 (100%)	60 (100%)	32 (100%)	154 (100%)
Matt Araiza	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	10 (31%)	10 (6%)
Jeff Bassa	0 (0%)	21 (35%)	23 (72%)	44 (29%)
Nick Bolton	0 (0%)	60 (100%)	5 (16%)	65 (42%)
Marquise Brown	50 (81%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	50 (32%)
Shane Buechele	29 (47%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	29 (19%)
Harrison Butker	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	10 (31%)	10 (6%)
Mike Caliendo	3 (5%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	7 (5%)
Cole Christiansen	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	23 (72%)	23 (15%)
Jack Cochrane	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	28 (88%)	28 (18%)
Chamarri Conner	0 (0%)	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	60 (39%)
Bryan Cook	0 (0%)	59 (98%)	2 (6%)	61 (40%)
Michael Danna	0 (0%)	36 (60%)	5 (16%)	41 (27%)
Ethan Downs	0 (0%)	10 (17%)	22 (69%)	32 (21%)
Mike Edwards	0 (0%)	3 (5%)	0 (0%)	3 (2%)
Kristian Fulton	0 (0%)	60 (100%)	0 (0%)	60 (39%)
Ashton Gillotte	0 (0%)	45 (75%)	1 (3%)	46 (30%)
Chukwuebuka Godrick	61 (98%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	61 (40%)
Noah Gray	34 (55%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	38 (25%)
C.J. Hanson	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	4 (3%)
Jaden Hicks	0 (0%)	36 (60%)	27 (84%)	63 (41%)
Creed Humphrey	62 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	66 (43%)
Kareem Hunt	24 (39%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	24 (16%)
Nazeeh Johnson	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	21 (66%)	21 (14%)
Chris Jones	0 (0%)	22 (37%)	0 (0%)	22 (14%)
Travis Kelce	50 (81%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	50 (32%)
Kevin Knowles II	0 (0%)	14 (23%)	18 (56%)	32 (21%)
Cooper McDonald	0 (0%)	25 (42%)	27 (84%)	52 (34%)
Jaylon Moore	2 (3%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	6 (4%)
Derrick Nnadi	0 (0%)	36 (60%)	5 (16%)	41 (27%)
Hunter Nourzad	62 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	66 (43%)
Chris Oladokun	33 (53%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	33 (21%)
Charles Omenihu	0 (0%)	39 (65%)	0 (0%)	39 (25%)
Zacch Pickens	0 (0%)	12 (20%)	0 (0%)	12 (8%)
Dameon Pierce	5 (8%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	5 (3%)
Esa Pole	62 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	66 (43%)
Jalen Royals	42 (68%)	0 (0%)	16 (50%)	58 (38%)
Brashard Smith	33 (53%)	0 (0%)	12 (38%)	45 (29%)
JuJu Smith-Schuster	48 (77%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	48 (31%)
Kingsley Suamataia	62 (100%)	0 (0%)	4 (13%)	66 (43%)
Jerry Tillery	0 (0%)	32 (53%)	5 (16%)	37 (24%)
Robert Tonyan	2 (3%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	2 (1%)
Drue Tranquill	0 (0%)	30 (50%)	5 (16%)	35 (23%)
Jared Wiley	12 (19%)	0 (0%)	10 (31%)	22 (14%)
Joshua Williams	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	25 (78%)	25 (16%)
Nohl Williams	0 (0%)	60 (100%)	10 (31%)	70 (45%)
James Winchester	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	10 (31%)	10 (6%)
Jason Brownlee	5 (8%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	5 (3%)
Jimmy Holiday	1 (2%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	1 (1%)

Editor’s Note: Arrowhead Pride obtains snap count data from the NFL’s game stats and information system, which allows us to break out snap counts by run or pass on offensive and defensive plays. Because GSIS data ignores plays that were nullified by penalties, total offensive and defensive snap counts will vary from other sources, which get their data from NFL Gamebooks

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-snap-counts-chiefs-unleashes-depth-of-roster

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs make 2 more Reserve/Future signings on Tuesday

The Kansas City Chiefs got their offseason started on Monday by retaining several members of their practice squad on reserve/future contracts. On Tuesday, the team brought in a pair of players from outside of the organization.

Per the NFL’s official transactions report, the Chiefs have signed wide receiver Andrew Armstrong and running back ShunDerrick Powell to Reserve/Future contracts. Armstrong and Powell were previously reported as working out for Kansas City on December 29. These agreements will become official when the league year begins on March 11 — but they rarely contain guaranteed money or offer significant roster security as other players are added through free agency and the draft.

Armstrong attended Arkansas for two seasons after beginning his college career at Texas A&M Commerce. He caught 78 passes for 1,140 yards during his final year with the Razorbacks before measuring 6-4 and running a 4.5 second 40-yard dash time at Arkansas’ Pro Day. Armstrong signed with the Miami Dolphins in April as an undrafted free agent. He was briefly on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad after being waived in Miami’s final roster cuts.

Powell played at Central Arkansas. He visited Kansas City before the 2025 NFL Draft, and we profiled him here. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in undrafted free agency, but he did not make the squad.

The Chiefs on Tuesday also worked out edge rusher Warren Peeples. He went to training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last summer after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Division III Southeastern Louisiana.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ake-2-more-reserve-future-signings-on-tuesday

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

3 Chiefs who will try to build on their final 2025 performances

After being eliminated from postseason contention, the offseason effectively began for the Kansas City Chiefs with a 14–12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The regular-season finale was ugly throughout — and with multiple starters sidelined, there was little to take away from the game itself.

While the Raiders resembled a junior-varsity version of their usual porous roster, Kansas City still suited up a handful of young players who project as future contributors.

Let’s consider what we saw from three of them.

Brashard Smith​

Kansas City let its rookie running back finish the season on a high note — and he delivered his best performance of the year. Smith carried 12 times for 56 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt while flashing improvement throughout the game.

The Chiefs have lacked explosion in the running game all season — and although Smith did not break a run longer than 14 yards, he showed cutback ability and burst that Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have not consistently provided.

Not a ton of movement playside, and the Raiders contain the edge, but Smith is patient, and as he reads the blocks, he notices space toward the backside of the zone. Suamataia and Pole created movement, giving Smith an angle to cut back. pic.twitter.com/npxG3KVKnu

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 6, 2026

On this snap, the Chiefs want to run zone right with Smith. The play is not particularly well-blocked on the front side — and the Raiders are playing with outside contain. Smith recognizes this and hesitates in the backfield, which allows Kingsley Suamataia and Esa Pole enough time to generate movement on the back side of the zone.

Following that movement, Smith makes a sharp cut. Then — using good vision — he picks up yards on a play that initially appeared destined to fail.

The Chiefs have lacked a back with the ability to create yards all season, especially when a play isn’t perfectly blocked. Smith will be on the team in 2026, and he should be able to help fix this issue. The Chiefs will likely add to the running back room during free agency or the NFL draft, but Smith’s combination of agility and burst will still be needed — and utilized.

Nohl Williams​

The rookie cornerback capped an impressive season with a strong showing against the Raiders. He finished with six tackles, a sack and two pass breakups as he continued to establish himself as a core piece of the secondary.

General manager Brett Veach has consistently drafted productive cornerbacks, and Williams appears poised to be his next success story. Throughout the season, he showed sticky man coverage ability, strong ball skills and a willingness to tackle.

Great coverage by Williams against Tre Tucker. Relying on quickness in his routes, Tucker tries to get Williams moving quickly upfield, but puts on the brakes. Williams does a good job of sticking tight on Tucker, and as the ball is thrown, he comes back to deflect the pass. pic.twitter.com/Z1GOHGcAGM

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 7, 2026

Here, Williams is matched one-on-one against Raiders receiver Tre Tucker, an underrated player in an otherwise struggling offense. Tucker relies on quickness to create separation and work back to the football. Williams — despite being the larger defender — runs stride for stride downfield, stays tight at the break, and shuts down Tucker’s comeback.

Williams then uses his size advantage to knock the ball away, forcing an incompletion.

Williams proved to be a versatile defender for the Chiefs in 2025. He was able to cover both larger and smaller wide receivers while still demonstrating a nose for the football. Still, in this offseason, Kansas City will have some decisions to make about the future of its cornerback room. But having Williams — who projects to be a starter in 2026 — gives them good insurance regardless of what happens.

Chris Jones​

Statistically, the Chiefs’ star defensive tackle endured a down season by his standards. But on Sunday, he closed the year with two sacks to finish on a high note.

Jones had the slide his way and the TE chipped Gillotte so the tackle could give a hand to the outside.

Didn't matter. Jones still found a way to win the play and come up with the sack. pic.twitter.com/UJAVEeVDDO

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 7, 2026

On this play, Jones lines up as a 4-technique head up on the right tackle, angled to rush the B-gap. At the snap, both the guard and tackle engage him, while the center slides to close off the A-gap.

Jones continues to push upfield, and when the tackle peels off to block Ashton Gillotte, he uses a quick hand swipe to beat the guard.

As the quarterback steps up, Jones wraps him up and finishes the sack.

Jones finished the season with seven sacks and 25 quarterback hits. While that’s not the dominant production he has previously shown us, it’s still a productive year for a 31-year-old defensive tackle. Regression after 30 is natural — Jones is no exception — but the lack of help for Jones took its toll on the defense.

One of the Chiefs’ top offseason priorities must be finding additional pass-rushing help for Jones — potentially with the ninth overall pick — and improving their ability to get off the field on critical downs.

Jones remains one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles, as evidenced by the constant attention he draws in pass protection. With adequate help up front, he has a chance to return to elite form in 2026.

Honorable mention: Kingsley Suamataia​

There is little doubt Suamataia will be Kansas City’s starting left guard for years to come. His athleticism continues to stand out.

This was more athletic than anything I saw from a single Chiefs skill player all season long. pic.twitter.com/mXU5EJuLlM

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) January 5, 2026

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...ers-who-will-build-on-final-2025-performances

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce will let body rest before deciding on retirement

On this week’s episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce provided the latest update on his future in the NFL with his co-host and brother, former Philadelphia Eagles’ center Jason Kelce.

The show started with a scare, as Kelce opened the show by acknowledging the end of the Chiefs’ season and his upcoming free agency with a joke.

“I am officially jobless, Jason,” Kelce said. “Actually, this is my only job.”

“Well, no, you’re still employed,” Jason responded. “Unless you stop playing, have you announced you’ve stopped playing?”

“This is the only company that employs me right now,” said Travis.

Kelce does not officially become an unrestricted free agent until the new league year begins on March 11th at 3:00 p.m. Arrowhead Time. However, he needs to know if he wants to continue playing professional football before his agents can negotiate a contract in Kansas City or elsewhere.

The only silver lining to the Chiefs’ disastrous season may be the amount of time it allows the future Hall of Fame tight end to recover as he mulls over a life-changing decision.

“After every season ends for me, I just put my feet up and be a human,” Kelce shared. “I’ve been putting my body through the wringer for the love of it. I do enjoy playing football and the physical aspect of it. I think there’s something about feeling the wear and tear of the football season… knowing your body is beat down, there’s something to it, it just makes you feel like a mangy animal just out here trying to survive.”

The big, mangy Yeti is resting a month earlier than he is used to; Kelce has played in at least three postseason games for six consecutive seasons. It’s unfamiliar territory for the 36-year-old, but he is using the time to make the right decision — whenever it will be made.

“I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, having the exit meetings and everything, and they know where I stand — at least right now,” Kelce said. “There’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there; I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. It’s a tough thing to navigate.”

For Kelce, it will come down to how he feels physically — but he has a clear stance about his desire to play.

“If my body can heal up and rest up, and I can feel confident I can give it another 18-21-week run, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Kelce noted. “Right now, it’s just finding that answer and seeing how the body feels after this game and when it all settles down.”

Chris Jones when asked about Travis Kelce: "I'm not buying it, he'll be back next year." A follow up from @RobCollinsTV — "I can't promise you anything about another man" pic.twitter.com/sPHCSQqBsp

— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) January 5, 2026

Defensive tackle Chris Jones believes Kelce will be back and expressed that to the media following Week 18’s 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. When Jason brought that up to Travis on the podcast, the Chiefs’ legend just smiled.

“That’s why we love Chris,” Kelce said. “He’s very optimistic.”

Optimism or confidence, Jones’ belief has a stronger chance of being correct with the extended offseason. Kelce sounds like a player who appreciates the game enough to still be part of it. This season, he looked capable of continuing to play. So if it really does come down to how Kelce feels, playing four fewer games than he did a year ago could extend his career by at least one more season.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...tting-body-recover-before-deciding-retirement

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Lessons from the last three weeks of Chiefs football

The last three weeks of the Kansas City Chiefs’ season weren’t fun to watch.

Without quarterback Patrick Mahomes or any realistic playoff hopes, there wasn’t much to take away from those games. After backup quarterback Gardner Minshew was injured, the team was forced to lean on a third-string quarterback for nearly three weeks while several other starters were sidelined as well. Given the circumstances and the stakes, it’s difficult to be overly upset about how the season closed.

Still, there were lessons to be learned. Even in meaningless games, there are always details that can inform how a roster should be shaped moving forward.

With that in mind, here are the most notable takeaways from the final three weeks of the season.

1. Nohl Williams and Kristian Fulton can impact the Chiefs’ plan at cornerback in 2026​

There weren’t many bright spots over the final stretch, but the play of these two corners stood out as a legitimate positive.

While Fulton was initially signed to compete for a starting role alongside Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, that plan never materialized. Injuries derailed his offseason, and when he did see the field earlier in the year, the results were underwhelming.

That situation forced the team to lean more heavily on Williams, though his role remained limited. He sometimes held up in coverage, but there were also moments where he struggled. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo often preferred dime packages with three safeties — or even Chris Roland-Wallace — over the rookie.

Once McDuffie and Watson were sidelined over the final three games, both Fulton and Williams were thrust into full-time boundary roles — and both responded well. I wrote about Williams’ growth a week ago. Fulton consistently flashed his best trait: defending at the catch point, something he’s done well dating back to LSU.

One of the quieter storylines this offseason will be how Kansas City approaches the cornerback position. Watson will be a free agent who is likely to command a significant deal, while McDuffie enters his fifth-year option season. Whether that leads to an extension or even a trade remains an open question.

No matter how those decisions shake out, both Williams and Fulton showed enough to be part of the 2026 plan. Williams appears capable of starting a full season, while Fulton’s durability remains a concern — meaning additional depth will still be necessary.

2. There is a role for Brashard Smith, but the Chiefs need to work at it​

The seventh-round rookie’s season was largely frustrating. Despite frequent hints that a breakout was coming, it never materialized — largely because the coaching staff never committed to giving him a defined role.

The final two weeks offered some optimism — especially Week 18. Smith carried the ball 12 times for 56 yards, producing 4.7 yards per attempt. He did this primarily on outside-zone concepts that highlighted his burst and vision. Several of his best runs cut all the way back across the formation, something no other back on the roster can consistently do.

While this means there is something tangible to build upon, it’s up to the coaching staff to formalize Smith’s role. Rather than treating him as a situational change-up, the offense needs to give him consistent responsibilities if he’s going to matter in 2026.

One potential blueprint is the role once filled by Jerick McKinnon. Smith will need to improve in pass protection, but both players share receiving ability, explosiveness and third-down utility — traits that the team’s other running backs don’t necessarily share.

3. Chu Godrick is not close to playing NFL football yet​

It’s difficult to be overly harsh on right tackle Chu Godrick, given his limited football background. Expecting high-level play in his first NFL action was unrealistic — and the situation he was placed in was far from ideal.

Still, based on what he showed, Godrick isn’t ready for meaningful snaps at this level. That may change with development, but any talk of him being a viable swing-tackle option in 2026 should be tempered for now — even if he remains an easy player to root for through the International Pathway Program.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans.../lessons-from-last-three-weeks-of-2025-season

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/8: Chiefs are ‘aware’ of allegations about Rashee Rice

The latest​

Kansas City Chiefs say they are aware of domestic violence allegations involving Rashee Rice | KMBC

An ex-girlfriend of Rice made the allegations in a public Instagram post on Wednesday.

“I’m so tired of keeping quiet I’m so tired of protecting his image,” the woman said in the post. “I’ve been through too much in a span of 8 years and I’ve had ENOUGH!”

The post does not name Rice, but the team is in communication with the NFL.

“The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League,” the Chiefs said in the statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Report: Chiefs fire WRs coach Connor Embree | Pro Football Talk

The Chiefs have parted ways with wide receiver coach Connor Embree, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.

Rapoport adds that Embree might not be the only change that Andy Reid makes to his staff after a disappointing season.

Hollywood Brown was the Chiefs’ leading wideout this season, finishing with 49 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Travis Kelce led the team with 76 receptions for 851 yards and five scores.

Travis Kelce becomes the first 3-time winner of Nationwide’s Charity Challenge | KSHB

Kelce first won the fan-driven contest in 2020-21.

The award means Kelce earned $35,000 for his charity of choice, Operation Breakthrough Ignition Lab in Kansas City.

Kelce has supported Operation Breakthrough for over a decade. His work includes spearheading the Ignition Lab in 2021 to “provide a workforce development program where students ages 14-18 spend time each week getting real-world experience in fields ranging from culinary arts to automotive and engineering.”

Weighing fifth-year options for 2023 NFL Draft’s first-round selections | NFL.com

Pick 31: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas City Chiefs

Exercise the option? No.

Anudike-Uzomah missed the entire 2025 campaign with a hamstring injury and didn’t make much of an impact in his first two seasons, totaling just three sacks in 34 games (three starts). The Chiefs must quickly improve their pass rush if they don’t want a repeat of this season, and unfortunately, Anudike-Uzomah’s output to this point does not suggest he’ll be a part of that solution.

Around the NFL​

Todd Bowles says he’s back as Bucs head coach for 2026 season | Tampa Bay Times

Todd Bowles stated his case plainly Monday, saying three consecutive NFC South titles should count for something even if his team missed the playoffs this year.

Apparently the Glazer family, which owns the Bucs agreed.

Bowles confirmed Wednesday that he is returning as Bucs head coach for the 2026 season, his fifth at the helm in Tampa Bay.

In a text message to the Tampa Bay Times, he also allowed that there could be some changes to his coaching staff.

Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs declares for NFL draft | ESPN

Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs is leaving school early and declaring for the NFL draft, he announced on social media Wednesday.

Downs is projected as a top-10 pick in ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid’s current rankings. No safety has been picked in the top 10 since the Jets took Jamal Adams with the No. 6 pick in 2017.

This year, Downs earned the Jim Thorpe Award as the top defensive back in college football.

He was also a two-time unanimous All-American and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Downs had 68 tackles this season, to go along with two forced fumbles, two interceptions and a sack.

NFL sees 2nd-highest regular season average viewership since 1988 at 18.7 million, up 10% from 2024 | Associated Press

The Thanksgiving Day game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys averaged 57.23 million, making it the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history. According to Nielsen, the game generated 11.7 billion viewing minutes on Nov. 27 and was the top broadcast telecast of the month. By comparison, “Stranger Things” on Netflix totaled 11.8 billion viewing minutes across the entire month since it was available on demand.

CBS’ most-viewed Sunday game was what seems to be the yearly meeting between Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes. The Bills-Chiefs matchup on Nov. 2 averaged 30.84 million.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Chiefs’ Travis Kelce will let body rest before deciding on retirement

“I’ve talked to a few people in the facility already, having the exit meetings and everything, and they know where I stand — at least right now,” Kelce said. “There’s a lot of love for the game that’s still there; I don’t think I’ll ever lose that. It’s a tough thing to navigate.”

For Kelce, it will come down to how he feels physically — but he has a clear stance about his desire to play.

“If my body can heal up and rest up, and I can feel confident I can give it another 18-21-week run, I would do it in a heartbeat,” Kelce noted. “Right now, it’s just finding that answer and seeing how the body feels after this game and when it all settles down.”

Social media to make you think​

Remember the last time they said he would never be the same.

pic.twitter.com/eetoqXuQ7Q

— Bobby Stroupe (@bobbystroupe) January 8, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

• Facebook: Like our page
• Instagram: @ArrowheadPride
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• AP Staff on X: See complete list
• Sports Radio 810 on X: Follow @SportsRadio810

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...chiefs-aware-of-allegations-about-rashee-rice

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Top 5 takeaways from the Chiefs’ 2025 season

Before the offseason gets rolling, it’s important to reflect on what the Kansas City Chiefs were in the 2025 season. It was an incredibly frustrating campaign. The only way to ensure that doesn’t happen again is by learning from it.

So, here are five takeaways from the Chiefs’ season and what it might mean for 2026 and beyond:

1. The future of the offensive line is incredibly bright​

It’s easy to forget now, but the Chiefs’ offensive line —particularly the left side — was being questioned before 2025. We weren’t sure what we were getting from left tackle Josh Simmons or left guard Kingsley Suamataia.

Kansas City feels much better about the offensive tackle situation now. Simmons had a frustrating season with injuries and a personal situation, but when he played, he looked like a top-5 left tackle already and is on track to become an All-Pro soon.

Suamataia wasn’t as dominant, but he got better every week and was playing great football by the end of the year. His physical profile stands out every week, but he also continues to improve his technique.

Between Simmons, Suamataia, center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith, the Chiefs have four offensive linemen who are all young and have played together for a while. All four are athletic marvels that should give the Chiefs schematic versatility. They have the potential to be the best offensive line in the NFL next year. The team should prioritize building the scheme around the offensive line.

2. The running back room needs to be overhauled​

Despite having a great offensive line, the Chiefs’ run game was terrible all season. Unless it was a short-yardage run, most of Kansas City’s other runs were wasted downs. There were never any explosive runs.

Nearly all of the blame for that goes to the running backs; they were not good enough in 2025. Kareem Hunt was this team’s best running back and he rarely gained more than 7-8 yards on a handoff. Isiah Pacheco was plagued with injuries. The staff didn’t have a role for rookie Brashard Smith.

There are valid questions about the Chiefs’ run scheme and how difficult it is for ball carriers. The reliance on run-pass options plays into that, but Kansas City’s run blocking was too good to be so ineffective. The team needs multiple additions to the backfield this offseason.

3. The pass offense needs to beat man coverage​

Kansas City lacks a single receiver who can beat man coverage consistently. Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy are too small to play outside receiver. Rashee Rice has struggled to create separation against man coverage since he was at SMU. That’s not Juju Smith-Schuster’s or Tyquan Thornton’s games.

Once tight end Travis Kelce’s ability to beat man coverage diminished at all, the Chiefs haven’t had answers, and it’s due to personnel. Teams have realized this and played more man coverage through the years. When they do, the Kansas City offense stalls.

In particular, the team needs an X-receiver who can align backside on a formation and win one-on-one. That would make it easier to put receivers into other roles and give Mahomes an easy read when teams play man coverage.

4. The pass rush isn’t close to good enough​

This has been a problem for two years, and the Chiefs know it. Neither of the Chiefs’ Day 2 picks — defensive end Ashton Gillotte and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott — provided enough impact in Year 1. Former first-round pick, defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah was out all season and had done little beforehand. Then Mike Danna and Charles Omenihu seemingly slowed down, leading to the Chiefs’ pass-rush depth being too thin behind defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis.

In the past, Kansas City has overcome thin pass rush depth by using blitzes and creative pressures to bother quarterbacks. However, the strategy worked more when the Chiefs had higher-end talent in the defensive backfield. Kansas City’s blitzes didn’t work as well this year because the unit couldn’t play man coverage as well.

There’s no easier way to improve your defense than getting more pass rush help. A good pass rush works across all schemes and fronts. As of today, the personal preference for the ninth overall pick would be defensive end. But even beyond that, the defense needs multiple acquisitions.

5. The offense needs to get bigger​

The Chiefs need bigger body types.

The receivers need to be bigger and capable of playing on the outside, but the tight ends also have to be more physical players. We’ll see what happens with Kelce, but regardless of his decision, the Chiefs need to bring in tight ends who can block. When the offense uses multiple tight ends, those players need to make a bigger difference in blocking. Backup tight end Noah Gray has utility, but he’s not a stout blocker and it limits the play calling.

When the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII and had the best offense in the NFL in 2022, it was because the unit got bigger. The offense used more sets with three tight ends that season and had Blake Bell to block. Wide receivers Juju Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling weren’t perfect, but they were bigger body types that could block. Their run game was sized up as a more downhill run game.

It feels like they learned some of the wrong lessons from that season and went the opposite way. Their receivers and tight ends have gotten smaller. The team uses run plays with more finesse than power.

Fortunately, the Chiefs don’t need to overhaul everything. Their offensive line is big and violent. Their running backs play with power. The unit just needs bigger players on the perimeter. When Kansas City signs some receivers or tight ends in free agency, it will be worth monitoring if they are big and like to block.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...91964/top-5-takeaways-from-chiefs-2025-season

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Chiefs News 1/9: Bold trade could reopen Chiefs’ Super Bowl window

The latest​

How do the Chiefs, Ravens and Bengals reopen their Super Bowl windows? | The Athletic

It’s why Veach might have to seriously consider a transaction nearly as bold as the one he made with Hill. That could mean trading McDuffie.

The logic is there. McDuffie, at 25, remains in his prime and is everything a team could want from a personality and off-the-field perspective. The Chiefs already exercised his fifth-year rookie option for 2026 at $13 million. If they don’t plan to give him a long-term extension now, though, it would make sense to move him to another team that would be happy to lock in a young franchise corner for the foreseeable future.

McDuffie would bring a healthy return. The Jets just received two first-round picks when trading cornerback Sauce Gardner, and while McDuffie shouldn’t be considered at Gardner’s level, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for the Chiefs to think he could bring back something in the range of a first-round pick.

2026 NFL offseason preview: Kansas City Chiefs don’t feel inevitable anymore and face a huge few months | Yahoo! Sports

Cap/cuts outlook

No team will head into the offseason with less salary cap space than the Chiefs, with -$66 million in effective space, per Over The Cap. That looks way worse than it is because Patrick Mahomes has a $78 million cap hit that will either be restructured or lowered with a new contract. Restructuring Mahomes could free up $44 million, and doing so to Chris Jones would open another $22 million. While Jawaan Taylor was not nearly the biggest of Kansas City’s problems when he was on the field, it’s hard to imagine the Chiefs holding onto him, given moving on from the veteran would free up $20 million in cap space.

Mike McDaniel landing spots: Former Dolphins HC becomes top OC option | USA Today

Kansas City Chiefs

Though McDaniel wouldn’t handle play-calling duties under head coach Andy Reid, he would be in charge of implementing a new offense for the Chiefs. As quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns from his ACL injury and Kansas City spends the offseason retooling after a disappointing 2026, McDaniel could be the perfect candidate to right the ship for the offense.

McDaniel proved in Miami that he’s good at building an offense to maximize his players’ strengths and mitigate weaknesses. That could make him a perfect fit for a team lacking dynamic playmakers outside of their quarterback.

Around the NFL​

Lions expect to discuss trading David Montgomery this offseason | Pro Football Talk

“Those are conversations that we’re going to have to have because got a lot of respect for that player,” Holmes said, via the Detroit Free Press. “He deserves to be in a situation where his skill set can be utilized. And so yeah, would love it for it to be here, but if it can’t be here, then you would have to just see what you can work out the best for him.”

Holmes said he’d still like to find a way to keep Montgomery, who has two years left on his contract and is due $6 million in 2026.

“I hope it doesn’t, because we love David Montgomery. He’s a good football player and wish we would have been able to get more utilization from him,” Holmes said.

The 28-year-old Montgomery had a career-low 158 carries for a career-low 716 yards in 2025. He did not start any games, while Gibbs started all 17. If the Lions can find a a team that views Montgomery as a starter, it would make sense for all sides for the Lions to trade him.

NFL fan goes viral after squatting Trevor Lawrence at bar | WHIOTV 7

Lane was waiting for a friend at a Jacksonville bar when Lawrence walked out.

Instead of asking for a picture, she asked if she could squat him.

“His reaction was very shocked. He looked at me and asked if I was being serious, and I said, ‘I very much am,’” she told CNN affiliate WJXT-TV in Jacksonville.

Lane is a disabled veteran. She told WJXT that she did five squats with Lawrence on her shoulders.

“After I put him down, he stood there for a second and, whoa, ‘You’re a very strong woman.’ I said, ‘Thanks, I work out,’” said Lane.

Patriots vs. Chargers weather forecast for NFL wild card playoffs | Pats Pulpit

According to a forecast shared on NFL Weather, temperatures in Foxborough will be in the low 30s throughout the contest, with a wind chill as low as 23°F. In addition, there is a “chance of rain” that might turn into snow later during the night.

The National Weather Service, meanwhile, predicts a chance of rain and snow before 10 p.m. even though “little or no snow accumulation [is] expected.” Wind gusts of up to 23 mph are also part of the prognosis.

The possible combination of low temperatures with wet and windy conditions could create some challenges for the Patriots and Chargers. Ball security will be paramount for the two teams, who fumbled the ball a respective 20 and 17 times during the regular season, losing eight and seven of them along the way.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride​

Lessons from the last three weeks of Chiefs football

Once McDuffie and Watson were sidelined over the final three games, both Fulton and Williams were thrust into full-time boundary roles — and both responded well. I wrote about Williams’ growth a week ago. Fulton consistently flashed his best trait: defending at the catch point, something he’s done well dating back to LSU.

One of the quieter storylines this offseason will be how Kansas City approaches the cornerback position. Watson will be a free agent who is likely to command a significant deal, while McDuffie enters his fifth-year option season. Whether that leads to an extension or even a trade remains an open question.

No matter how those decisions shake out, both Williams and Fulton showed enough to be part of the 2026 plan. Williams appears capable of starting a full season, while Fulton’s durability remains a concern — meaning additional depth will still be necessary.

Social media to make you think​

Mike don’t fit yall scheme buddy sorry to tell ya

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) January 8, 2026

Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media​

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Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...d-trade-could-reopen-chiefs-super-bowl-window

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Only one Chiefs player named to 2025 All-Pro team

The Associated Press announced its 2025 NFL All-Pro team, which was selected by a national panel of 50 media members.

Just one player from the Kansas City Chiefs — center Creed Humphrey — made either the first or second team.

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First team​

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Offense​

• Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
• Running back: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
• Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers
• Wide receivers: Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams; Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks; Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
• All-purpose: Christian McCaffrey, 49ers
• Tight end: Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
• Left tackle: Garrett Bolles, Denver Broncos
• Left guard: Joe Thuney, Chicago Bears
• Center: Creed Humphrey, Chiefs
• Right guard: Quinn Meinerz, Broncos
• Right tackle: Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions

Defense​

• Edge rushers: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns; Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans; Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers
• Interior linemen: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans; Zach Allen, Broncos
• Linebackers: Jack Campbell, Lions; Jordyn Brooks, Miami Dolphins
• Cornerbacks: Derek Stingley Jr., Texans; Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles
• Slot cornerback: Cooper DeJean, Eagles
• Safeties: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens; Kevin Byard, Bears

Special teams​

• Placekicker: Will Reichard, Minnesota Vikings
• Punter: Jordan Stout, Ravens
• Kick returner: Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
• Punt returner: Chimere Dike, Titans
• Special teamer: Devon Key, Broncos
• Long snapper: Ross Matiscik, Jacksonville Jaguars

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Second team​

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Offense​

• Quarterback: Drake Maye, New England Patriots
• Running back: James Cook, Bills
• Fullback: Patrick Ricard, Ravens
• Wide receivers: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions; Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
• All-purpose: Bijan Robinson, Falcons
• Tight end: Kyle Pitts, Falcons
• Left tackle: Trent Williams, 49ers
• Left guard: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
• Center: Aaron Brewer, Dolphins
• Right guard: Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
• Right tackle: Darnell Wright, Bears

Defense​

• Edge rushers: Brian Burns, New York Giants; Danielle Hunter, Texans; Aidan Hutchinson, Lions
• Interior linemen: Leonard Williams, Seahawks; Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Linebackers: Devin Lloyd, Jaguars; Ernest Jones IV, Seahawks
• Cornerbacks: Patrick Surtain II, Broncos; Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks
• Slot cornerback: Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
• Safeties: Jessie Bates III, Falcons; *Talanoa Hufanga, Broncos; *Xavier McKinney, Packers

Special teams​

• Placekicker: Brandon Aubrey, Cowboys
• Punter: Michael Dickson, Seahawks
• Kick returner: Kavontae Turpin, Cowboys
• Punt returner: Marcus Jones, Patriots
• Special teamer: Del’Shawn Phillips, Chargers
• Long snapper: Andrew DePaola, Vikings

*Tied for second position

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...-one-chiefs-player-named-to-2025-all-pro-team

 

[Kansas City Chiefs]

Let’s Argue: The Chiefs should trade Chris Jones

In our “Let’s Argue” series, Mark Gunnels considers the hot takes, wacky predictions and unpopular opinions of Kansas City Chiefs fans from all over the world.

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Chris Jones should be traded​

Chris Jones should be traded
Coaching Staff as a whole should be revamped .

— john (@john73904854193) January 9, 2026

I’ve seen this take coming from Chiefs Kingdom several times.

I understand the sentiment: the Chiefs need as many draft picks as possible. Still, Kansas City is approaching next season as a reload, not a rebuild.

For the Chiefs to realistically get back to the Super Bowl, Jones needs to be part of the plan. He may be getting older, but he still has the ability to completely wreck games.

If the Chiefs can give him legitimate help along the defensive line, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his sack production rebound.

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Trade Chris Jones for MJ18 straight up​

Trade Chris Jones for RJ18 straight up

— RealChrisG (@RealChrisG1972) January 6, 2026

I’m assuming “RJ18” refers to Marvin Harrison Jr.

Coming out of Ohio State, Harrison was viewed as one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory. After his first two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, however, many have labeled him a disappointment.

That conclusion is understandable, but it’s hard to imagine Arizona moving on from him right now. With signs pointing toward a potential move away from Kyler Murray, the Cardinals likely want to see what Harrison looks like with a new quarterback.

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The Chiefs should spend money on a free-agent QB to start the season and then back up Patrick Mahomes​

Assuming we create cap space, we will spend money on FA starting caliber QB to be starter for the season and backup when Mahomes is back.

— Robbie Adams (@jiveadams) January 7, 2026

With the Chiefs facing a long list of needs, the backup quarterback position doesn’t get much attention.

Maybe it should.

Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from his ACL injury raises legitimate questions about how Brett Veach and the front office should approach the position.

There’s a scenario where Gardner Minshew returns. He feels older than he is, but he’s still just 29. And yes… his brief stint didn’t impress.

At the same time, Minshew didn’t have access to a full complement of weapons. He knows the system, and if pressed into action for a few games, he could manage things adequately.

If the Chiefs look outside the organization, names like Marcus Mariota or Zach Wilson would at least be intriguing options.

Ultimately, if Mahomes is unavailable, this team isn’t competing for a Super Bowl anyway — and there’s reason to believe he’ll be ready for Week 1.

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Will the Kansas stadium deal pressure Clark Hunt to begin replacing Andy Reid?​

Here's one… With the Kansas stadium deal, driven in large part by the Chief's dominance over the last decade how pressured will Hunt be to start the process of replacing Reid – ie. hiring an OC to audition for the HC job – given the failures this season?

— Philly See (@PhilCassens) January 6, 2026

It’s an interesting question, but team’s owner has never shown much interest in inserting himself into coaching decisions.

When it comes to football operations, those decisions belong to Brett Veach and Andy Reid. Reid can remain head coach in Kansas City for as long as he chooses — winning three Super Bowls and reaching seven straight AFC Championship Games tends to earn that latitude.

As for offensive coordinator, Reid would likely turn to someone from his coaching tree — names like Eric Bieniemy or Mike Kafka.

Source: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/kans...chiefs-hot-takes-chris-jones-should-be-traded