The Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 season with expectations of remaining among the NFL‘s elite, but the year quickly spiraled into one of the most disappointing campaigns in recent franchise history.
A 6-11 finish marked the team’s worst record in more than a decade and ended a long playoff streak. As the offseason begins, Kansas City is already taking steps to address what went wrong, starting with changes to its offensive coaching staff.
Injuries certainly played a role in the collapse, most notably Patrick Mahomes‘ torn ACL. The injury not only sidelined the franchise quarterback but also exposed underlying flaws within the offense.
Kansas City closed the season on a six-game losing streak, including losses in the final three contests after Mahomes was no longer able to carry the unit. While his absence was significant, internal evaluations made it clear that the offense had deeper issues beyond health.
One of the most glaring problems was the inability to run the football effectively. The Chiefs struggled to establish balance, often placing too much responsibility on Mahomes to create plays under pressure.
That approach led to unnecessary hits on the quarterback and limited the offense’s ability to control tempo or protect leads.
Chiefs target running game overhaul
According to Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, Kansas City plans to make a major change at running backs coach, letting go of Todd Pinkston, following several seasons of underwhelming results.
The position has seen frequent turnover over the past decade, and the lack of sustained success has now prompted the organization to search for new leadership.
The numbers from 2025 explain why. The Chiefs averaged just 106.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL. Kareem Hunt led the team with 611 yards on 163 carries, while Isiah Pacheco contributed 462 yards on 118 attempts.
Neither back consistently generated explosive plays, with Hunt‘s longest run going for 33 yards and Pacheco‘s topping out at just 16. Perhaps most concerning, Mahomes finished as the team’s third-leading rusher, a clear sign that designed runs were failing to gain traction.
The passing game also drew scrutiny. Kansas City moved on from wide receivers coach Connor Embree after an offense that lacked creativity and downfield explosiveness.
Route combinations were often predictable, allowing defenses to sit on short throws without fear of being beaten deep. The lack of consistent production from the receiving group compounded the struggles of an already unbalanced offense.
Additional staff turnover is underway as well. Defensive quality control coach Louie Addazio accepted an offensive line coaching job at UNLV, while Alex Whittingham departed to join the Michigan coaching staff.
Together, these moves signal a broader reset as the Chiefs look to rebuild an offense capable of protecting their quarterback and returning the franchise to contention in the seasons ahead.
Read the full article here
