If you’re checking the scores hoping to see Patrick Mahomes leading a game-winning drive in the playoffs, I have some bad news for you. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gut punch for the Kingdom. The short answer to are the chiefs winning right now is a resounding no—mostly because their season ended weeks ago, and it didn't end with a trophy.
For the first time in over a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs are watching the postseason from their couches. They finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 6-11 record. Yeah, you read that right. Six wins. After years of dominance, the wheels didn't just wobble; they fell completely off in December.
Why the Chiefs Aren't Winning This January
It feels weird, doesn't it? Since 2014, Kansas City has been a permanent fixture in the playoff bracket. But right now, they are sitting at third in the AFC West, looking up at the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The turning point was December 14, 2025. That was the day the air left the balloon. During a loss to the Chargers, Patrick Mahomes went down with a non-contact injury that turned out to be a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. When your $500 million superstar goes out, the season usually goes with him. Without Mahomes, the team spiraled, losing their final six games of the season.
They capped it all off with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on January 4, 2026. Losing to a 3-14 Raiders team to end the year? That's about as low as it gets for this era of Chiefs football.
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The Mahomes Surgery and the Long Road Back
Since the season ended, the focus has shifted entirely to rehab. Just a few days ago, on January 15, Mahomes gave an update from the facility. He’s aiming for a Week 1 return in September 2026.
"I want to be ready for Week 1. The doctors said I could, but I can't predict what happens throughout the process." — Patrick Mahomes, January 2026.
He's 30 now. Recovery isn't quite as "superhuman" as it was when he was 23. The team is being cautious, but knowing Mahomes, he’s going to push the limits. The real question isn't just if he'll be back, but who will be left to catch the ball when he is?
Is This the End for Travis Kelce?
While we're talking about the "winning" vibe, we have to talk about the heartbeat of the offense. Travis Kelce is currently mulling over retirement. It’s no longer just a rumor or something people joke about on a podcast.
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Kelce finished the season with 851 yards. For most tight ends, that’s a career year. For Kelce? It’s the second year in a row he’s stayed under that 1,000-yard mark that used to be automatic. He’s 36. He’s played 13 seasons. On January 8, he basically admitted he’s taking the next month to "be a regular human" and decide if his body can handle another 17-game grind.
If he walks away, the Chiefs aren't just losing a player; they're losing the guy who knows exactly what Mahomes is thinking before the ball is even snapped.
Roster Mistakes and the 2025 Collapse
People like to blame the Mahomes injury for everything, but the problems started way before December. Honestly, the front office had a rough year. They took a gamble on veteran running back Elijah Mitchell, and it was a total bust—he barely saw the field before getting cut.
Then there was the Super Bowl hangover. Remember, they lost Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles in February 2025. That 40-22 blowout seemed to break something in the team's psyche. They started the 2025 season 0-2 and never really found that "magic" that usually carries them through close games.
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- Final 2025 Record: 6-11
- Division Standing: 3rd in AFC West
- Current Streak: 6-game losing streak (ended Jan 4)
- Playoff Status: Eliminated
What Most People Get Wrong About the Chiefs "Downfall"
It’s easy to say the dynasty is over. People love to bury champions. But if you look at the stats, nine of their eleven losses this season were by seven points or less. They weren't getting blown out (except for a couple of ugly games against the Eagles and Colts). They were just... unlucky. And tired.
The defense, led by Chris Jones, actually stayed pretty stout. Jones notched two sacks in the season finale to move into third place on the Chiefs' all-time list. The foundation is there, but the "winning" part of are the chiefs winning right now depends entirely on a healthy Mahomes and a rebuilt receiving corps.
Actionable Insights for Chiefs Fans Right Now
If you're wondering what to do while the rest of the AFC plays for a trophy, here is the roadmap for the next few months:
- Watch the 2026 NFL Draft: Because of their 6-11 record, the Chiefs have a much higher draft pick than they’ve had in a decade. They desperately need a young, elite tackle and potentially a replacement for Kelce.
- Monitor the March 11 Deadline: That’s when the new league year starts. Expect Brett Veach to be aggressive in free agency to fix the mistakes of the 2025 offseason.
- The "Kelce Watch": Keep an eye on the New Heights podcast over the next three weeks. That’s likely where he’ll drop the news if he decides to hang up the cleats.
The Chiefs aren't winning right now in the literal sense, but the "dynasty" isn't necessarily dead—it's just in the shop for major repairs. The 2026 season will be the ultimate test of whether the Mahomes era has a second act or if the league has finally moved past them.