The Kansas City Chiefs, reigning AFC champions, are off to an unexpected start in the 2025 NFL season. With a 0-2 record after losing 27-21 to the Chargers in the opener and falling 20-17 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl rematch, alarm bells are starting to ring among fans. However, several analysts agree: it’s too early to write off Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid’s team.
Journalist Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pointed out that early stumbles are not a definitive sentence, noting the injuries and key absences that have hit the offense. Xavier Worthy was injured on the first drive of the last game, Rashee Rice is suspended for six weeks, and rookie Josh Simmons is still adjusting to the NFL pace. With the return of these players and the development of young talent, the offense could look very different by November.
Additionally, Breer highlighted that Kansas City’s defense has remained solid, providing a stable foundation for the team to find its best version as the season progresses.
Comparison between the Chiefs and Patriots
To support his argument, Breer compared the Chiefs’ current situation to that of Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. During their dominance from 2011 to 2018, the Patriots often used the first month of competition to fine-tune their scheme.
In fact, during those six championship years, Bill Belichick’s team posted a combined 14-10 record over the first four weeks. Even amid their streak of eight consecutive AFC Championship appearances, they started the season with a modest 2-2 record four times.
The lesson is clear: a poor start doesn’t mean the end of the road, but rather part of an adjustment process for championship-caliber teams.
Andy Reid takes responsibility
After the loss to Philadelphia, head coach Andy Reid was brief and direct when speaking to the media. “I’ll take full responsibility for that game,” he stated, making it clear that adjustments must begin with strategy and coaching.
With Mahomes at the helm, an experienced coaching staff, and the gradual return of key offensive pieces, the Chiefs still have room to turn things around. And while the 0-2 start is concerning, the recent history of great franchises suggests it’s far too early to hit the panic button in Kansas City.
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