Now that the dust has settled on a historic NFL season, we can finally process the reality of the Seattle Seahawks hoisting their second Lombardi Trophy. Let’s be honest, they were the most improbable champions in American sports since the 1999 “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams, entering last year as massive preseason longshots. But while Seattle celebrates, the conversation inevitably turns to the league’s biggest disappointment: the Kansas City Chiefs.
After missing out on a chance for a fourth straight Super Bowl appearance, the Chiefs’ 2025 campaign felt like a fever dream. Even before Patrick Mahomes went down with an injury, the team never quite looked like the juggernaut we expected. Given how the Patriots eventually cleared a path to the Super Bowl, there will always be a massive “what if” regarding whether a healthy Mahomes could have stolen the show in the postseason.
Chiefs are Poised for the Largest Jump in the League
With the 2026 season kickoff in Seattle still months away on September 10th, oddsmakers are already laying their cards on the table. The early win total projections are out, and it’s a crowded house at the top.
Eleven teams currently share the highest over/under at 10.5 wins: the Seahawks, Rams, Lions, Eagles, Packers, and 49ers in the NFC, alongside the Chiefs, Patriots, Chargers, Bills, and Ravens in the AFC.
For Kansas City, this 10.5-win projection represents the single largest projected increase in the NFL. After stumbling to just six wins in 2025, their worst output since 2012 the season before the Andy Reid era, Vegas clearly believes last year was a fluke.
It’s a bold prediction considering only the Ravens (8 wins) and the Chiefs are the teams on this elite 10.5-win list that finished with a losing record last year. Alongside the Lions, they are also the only teams on that list that didn’t even sniff the playoffs last January. The pressure to bounce back isn’t just internal; the betting world is practically demanding it.
Bieniemy Reunion: Can Mahomes and Kelce Find the Magic for One Last Ride?
The optimism surrounding the Chiefs isn’t just blind faith in Mahomes‘ right arm. Before his injury, Mahomes was actually on pace for his most productive season in terms of yardage and touchdowns since his 2022 MVP run. The consensus is simple: as long as #15 is under center, the Chiefs are contenders.
To help facilitate that comeback, the team is bringing back a familiar face: Eric Bieniemy. Returning as Offensive Coordinator, Bieniemy was the architect behind Mahomes’ first five seasons and both of his MVP trophies.
This reunion is equally vital for Travis Kelce, who appears to be gearing up for his “last rodeo” in the NFL. While age is finally starting to catch up with the legendary tight end, Kelce’s most efficient years came under Bieniemy’s system. Last season, even in a dysfunctional offense, Kelce still led the team in every major receiving category.
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