The NFL Season is nearly upon us. The season kicks off on Wednesday, September 9. Between now and then, we’ll be previewing all 32 NFL Teams along with playoff picks. One team will be previewed each day, beginning with the Super Bowl-winning Seahawks and ending with the New York Jets. Check back each day for the next installment!

The wheels came off the bus for the Chiefs in 2025. The team was coming off a Super Bowl appearance but couldn’t manage to get on track. Close losses, inefficiency, and injuries derailed the Chiefs. They tried to rally, remaining in the mix until late the season, but the team couldn’t get back on a winning path. The Chiefs finished 6-11, third in the AFC West and out of playoffs. This season, they’ll look to rally. Let’s dive in.

Off-Season Changes

Gone is former Offensive Coordinator Matt Nagy, who took a similar position with the New York Giants. The team brought back Eric Bienemy to fill the post, with the hopes the offense can return to form. In addition to changing coaches, the team saw running back Isiah Pacheco leave for the Detroit Lions, receiver Marquise Brown head to the Eagles and receiver Juju Smith-Schuster to the Giants. Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew left for the Cardinals, while right tackle Jawaan Taylor signed with the Falcons. The Chiefs also traded star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams for a draft pick.

In free agency, the Chiefs continued their offensive makeover by signing Kenneth Walker, who was the Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks. He figures to be a workhorse back and a weapon in the backfield. In the draft, the Chiefs used a First-Round selection on cornerback Mansoor Delane. The hope is the LSU product will help to bolster its secondary. The team also acquired Justin Fields to provide insurance at quarterback.

Fantasy Impact

Patrick Mahomes is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he’s coming off a torn ACL. The team maintains he’ll be ready for Week 1, which would be ideal. But if not, it will be Fields early in the season. I like Mahomes as a low-end QB1 for the season, but I’m a bit weary of his first few games back. In the backfield, it’s all about Walker. He was brought in for a reason and should be a force in Bienemy’s offense. I like him as a low-end RB1.

In the passing game, the team has Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Tyquan Thornton leading the passing group. Rice has WR1 upside but has struggled with injuries and off-field issues. That makes him a risk. Still, he should be viewed as no lower than a WR2. Thornton had his moments last year, and Worthy has had flashes the past two years. Neither feels reliable for fantasy from a week-to-week basis. I think I’d prefer Worthy, but he’s more of a boom-or-bust WR4. At tight end, Travis Kelce is back. He finished as TE3 last year, and should be a TE1 again. He’s the most reliable passing game option.

Prediction

The Chiefs fell off hard in 2025, and there’s no assurance they’ll bounce right back in 2026. But I believe in Andy Reid, Bienemy, and Mahomes. I think they can get the offense back on track and I think they’ll compete in the AFC West and for the playoffs.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.