How the Chiefs Can Salvage Their Championship Window

The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to start 2025. What can they do to improve?

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks on during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs are back under .500 once again in the 2025 season. The last time they started off the season 2 - 3 was in 2021, the year they lost in the conference championship to the Cincinnati Bengals.

With the way the Chiefs have been playing, a conference championship appearance would be a blessing for Chiefs Kingdom. They have lost their swagger and are getting dangerously close to losing the benefit of the doubt if they continue to lose games.

Trouble in Paradise

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets the crowd hyped before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One of the most surprising things about the Chiefs' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and their three losses in general, is that Patrick Mahomes leads them in rushing yards in every single game they've lost this season.

Their two wins? Isiah Pacheco and Xavier Worthy led them in rushing yards, with 45 and 38, respectively. Even in the games they win, it's clear that the Chiefs can no longer hold up a successful rushing attack.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) points after picking up a first down during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Interestingly enough, the Chiefs' offensive line hasn't been the problem. They've been holding up in pass protection, and they do a good enough job at run blocking as well. If it wasn't obvious enough, the Chiefs' biggest problem on their ground is they don't have the personnel to have a successful rushing attack in 2025.

Pacheco has been such a blessing for the Chiefs throughout the four years he's been a part of the team, producing at a level that far surpasses where he was taken at, but he hasn't been the same player since he came back from his injury last season.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kareem Hunt is great for goal-line plays, but lacks the explosiveness to lead a successful rushing attack throughout the course of a game, much less a season. Despite them drafting Brashard Smith and signing Elijah Mitchell, the Chiefs have a problem at running back.

Do the Chiefs need quality running back play to win a Super Bowl? No, they do not. However, if they continue at the pace they're at, a Super Bowl may be out of reach. Their next four opponents are the Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders, and Buffalo Bills. Do the Chiefs really believe it's sustainable to have their franchise quarterback lead the team in rushing yards every game?

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