The 2025 NFL season has taken a dramatic and sobering turn for the Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise accustomed to dominance and deep postseason runs.
Now sitting at 6-8 and officially eliminated from playoff contention, the three-time defending AFC champions are facing the very real possibility of finishing with more losses than wins for the first time in more than a decade.
Video shows Travis Kelce appears to be done with the Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes injury
At the center of the collapse is the devastating injury to Patrick Mahomes, an event that has triggered a cascade of setbacks across the roster.
The Chiefs’ downward spiral accelerated following last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a game that not only sealed their postseason fate but also saw Mahomes suffer season-ending ACL and LCL tears.
The injury removed the team’s most important player and emotional leader, instantly shifting the tone of the season from survival to evaluation.
In the aftermath of that defeat, the bad news continued to mount. According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Kansas City placed fourth-year linebacker Leo Chenal (shoulder) and right offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (elbow) on season-ending injured reserve.
Both players had been key contributors on opposite sides of the ball, and their absences further thin a roster already stretched to its limits.
The team also reportedly waived running back Elijah Mitchell, who appeared in just one game for Kansas City during last month’s 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos.
While Mitchell was not a central figure in the offense, his departure underscores how quickly the depth chart has unraveled amid constant injury churn.
A battered roster and an unfamiliar future
Chenal and Taylor now join a lengthy injured reserve list, and the sheer volume of injuries has left the Chiefs scrambling weekly just to field a competitive lineup.
Already sidelined are Mahomes, Nazeeh Johnson, Jake Briningstool, Wanya Morris, Chris Roland-Wallace, Josh Simmons, Omar Norman-Lott, Brandon George, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Deon Bush, Janarius Robinson, Eric Scott Jr., and Keaontay Ingram.
As a result, Kansas City now finds itself in unfamiliar draft territory. The franchise is currently projected to land a top-11 pick for the first time since head coach Andy Reid traded up to select Mahomes in 2017.
With three remaining games against the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs could slide even further down the standings, potentially improving their draft position as the season closes.
Kelce set to play last three games
Despite the bleak outlook, not everyone in the locker room is ready to mentally check out. Star tight end Travis Kelce has made it clear that he intends to play in all three remaining games, even with no playoff path remaining.
“I signed up to be a Chief, and I love doing what I do,” Kelce said Friday.
“I know I’ve been dreaming of being in these moments and playing for an NFL team since I was a kid. Getting back to that will give you more motivation than you could ever need.
“That’s just how you need to go about work, whether you’re in the [playoff] race or not. I’m going to make sure these guys know I’m out there giving them everything I got.”
For a franchise built on consistency, leadership, and elite quarterback play, the loss of Mahomes has exposed how fragile even the strongest dynasties can be.
As the season winds down, the focus in Kansas City has shifted from chasing championships to preserving culture, evaluating young talent, and hoping that the injury wave finally subsides before 2026 arrives.
