The Kansas City Chiefs hope to put their 6-11 2025 campaign behind them. Andy Reid is back for his 14th season as head coach. Eric Bieniemy returns for his second stint as offensive coordinator. Patrick Mahomes is back at quarterback after missing the final three games of the season due to injury. The Chiefs have a new running back room as Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco have moved on, with Kenneth Walker arriving from Seattle as the primary back. Kansas City returns four of its top five pass catchers from a year ago, with Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and tight end Travis Kelce back in the receiving corps. The Chiefs also have high hopes for Nebraska rookie Emmett Johnson. Up front, Kansas City returns Josh Simmons, Kingsley Suamataia, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Jaylon Moore, and Mike Caliendo.

Steve Spagnuolo is back for his eighth season as defensive coordinator. The Chiefs return seven of their top eleven tacklers from a year ago, with George Karlaftis, Chris Jones, Drue Tranquill, and Nick Bolton back as starters on the front seven. Kansas City is eager to see Khyiris Tonga, who comes over from New England, in action. The secondary returns Nohl Williams and Chamarri Conner and welcomes Alohi Gilman from Baltimore, L’Jarius Sneed from Tennessee, and LSU rookie Mansoor Delane.

Special teams coach Dave Toub is back for his 14th season. Harrison Butker returns as the field goal kicker, and Matt Araiza returns as the punter. Nikko Remigio will be the Chiefs’ primary return man. The Chiefs are always going to be a dangerous team to face, but it goes without saying that a certain spark they used to have hasn’t been seen in a few seasons. It will be interesting to see how the new running game pans out and how Mahomes responds after a major injury.