Patrick Mahomes is back in the lineup, veteran tight end Travis Kelce is gearing up for what could be his final season, and head coach Andy Reid is determined to erase the sting of last year’s disappointment as the Kansas City Chiefs set their sights on a revival in the 2026 campaign. Last season marked a rare low point for the franchise.
For the first time since 2014, the Chiefs missed the playoffs, and their impressive run of nine straight AFC West titles and seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances came to an abrupt end. After establishing themselves as one of the modern NFL’s premier dynasties—winning three of five Super Bowls in six years—their quest for an unprecedented three‑peat was thwarted when they fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. The downturn was sealed by a devastating injury to Mahomes in December. The quarterback suffered torn ACL and LCL ligaments, necessitating surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process.
The team now expects him to make his first appearance back on the field on Monday night against the Denver Broncos. "He's doing great," Reid told Sky Sports during the offseason. "He spent seven hours a day here the whole offseason, pushing himself within the limits set by the doctors to get the most out of every session.
He’s been monitored closely, and our physical therapist, Julie, sets daily targets for him. He meets those goals, and she won’t let him exceed them until he’s ready." Returning from his first major injury layoff and after posting his lowest statistical season since entering the league, Mahomes will inevitably face a barrage of questions about his health, his performance, and the future of the Chiefs’ offense. Yet his teammates remain unequivocally confident in his ability to lead the squad. "Pat is the best quarterback in the league, there’s not much more to say about that," Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said to Sky Sports.
"He makes our jobs easier." Offensive guard Trey Smith, who secured a four‑year, $94 million extension in July, knows his role will be crucial in shielding Mahomes from a Broncos defense that finished the season ranked second overall and led the league with 68 sacks. "He’s an incredible field general," Smith explained. "He can extend plays, read defenses, and keep the ball moving.
As linemen, we have to keep our blocks up until the very last whistle. Having him back is a massive boost for the whole team.
He’s a natural leader, and his presence alone lifts everyone’s performance." Reid often references the team’s traffic‑light system—a metaphor for the degrees of freedom the offense has on each play. Mahomes thrives when given the green light to improvise, but the coach emphasizes that creativity must still be balanced with discipline. "We give him the chance to open things up," Reid said. "There are red lights—plays we simply can’t run—but there’s also a long green light for his imagination.
Occasionally we extend a yellow light a little longer to let him make a decision. It’s about finding that sweet spot between structure and freedom." Travis Kelce, who delayed his retirement to sign a three‑year, $54.7 million extension, will once again line up beside Mahomes. Although his numbers dipped slightly last season, he still led the Chiefs with 851 receiving yards and remains a pivotal piece of the offense.
"He acts like he’s going to play forever," Reid remarked. "We don’t worry about his age—we just use him while we can. Whether it’s one more year or two, we’ll lean on him because he works his tail off and delivers in every situation." On his "New Heights" podcast, Kelce credited Mahomes’ relentless work ethic and the frustration he felt during recovery as the catalyst for his own decision to keep playing.
The chemistry between the two has been a cornerstone of Kansas City’s success, and the team’s morale would undoubtedly suffer without Kelce’s leadership. "He’s the soul of the team," Jones added. "His energy, his success, his leadership—without Travis, the Chiefs just wouldn’t be the same. We hope he stays for another season; we can’t imagine moving forward without him." The Chiefs also made strategic moves in free agency and the draft to bolster the roster.
They added running back Kenneth Walker III, fresh off a Super Bowl‑winning season with the Seattle Seahawks, and re‑signed veteran cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. With the sixth overall pick, they selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, their highest draft choice since drafting Mahomes himself tenth overall in 2017. Reid and his staff are keenly aware of the shortcomings that plagued last year’s campaign, but they refuse to dwell on them.
The NFL’s competitive nature means that fortunes can change quickly, and Kansas City intends to capitalize on that volatility. "It’s frustrating to fall short of our goals," Smith admitted. "We’re used to making the AFC Championship or better every year, so missing that mark leaves a bad taste.
We’ll learn from the losses and come back stronger. The league is unpredictable—every season offers a new NFL moment, and we intend to create many more." The Chiefs’ dominance of the AFC West evaporated as the Denver Broncos, coached by Sean Payton and led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, posted a 14‑3 record and secured the conference’s No.
1 seed. Kansas City’s 6‑11 finish was their worst since the 2‑14 season in 2012. "We’ve had ups and downs, but each setback teaches us something valuable," Jones reflected. "Last year was a wake‑up call for the players and the organization.
We have a lot of young talent, and the expectations remain the same: win the AFC West, host playoff games, and chase the Super Bowl. It all starts with Monday night against Denver." As the 2026 NFL season unfolds, fans can follow every moment on Sky Sports, including the playoffs and Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Whether you subscribe to Sky Sports or stream for free via NOW, the Chiefs’ journey back to the top promises drama, determination, and the unmistakable spark that has defined the Mahomes‑Kelce era.