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The Kansas City Chiefs are about to begin training camp, with rookies reporting on July 24. Hopes are high despite a down season last year, as it appears Patrick Mahomes will be ready to play by Week 1 of the 2026 campaign. Even so, the club failed to make it on an analyst’s Super Bowl contender list.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated named 14 teams he believes have a real shot at winning next year’s Super Bowl. While Orr named nearly half of the league, the Chiefs were left out. He feels Mahomes could have a big year, and that Kansas City could end up winning 11 or 12 games. However, losing key players and maintaining most of the same offensive line could be the club’s demise.
“The Chiefs have, unquestionably, one of the two best quarterbacks in the NFL. They may very well win 11 or 12 games this season,” Orr wrote. “But I don’t see how they can simply replace the losses of Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie while also running back essentially the same version of the offensive line for another year, especially if the team’s most significant offensive upgrade was at the running back position.”
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It’s a fair criticism. The offensive line was mediocre at best last season. Additionally, signing Kenneth Walker III was seemingly the biggest move the front office made. Although selecting Mansoor Delane sixth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft is exciting for the secondary, the Chiefs are relying on a rookie cornerback to replace both Watson and McDuffie.
Not to mention, pass catchers around Patrick Mahomes are nothing to gloat about. Xavier Worthy has been lackluster so far in his career, and it’s not even a guarantee that Rashee Rice plays next season. Meanwhile, Travis Kelce is an aging veteran who isn’t quite the same caliber tight end he was just a few years ago.
On paper, it looks like the Chiefs will have an uphill climb to the playoffs. But can you really rule out a team that has Mahomes under center with Andy Reid calling the plays?
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