If you had told anyone in Kansas City back in August that the Chiefs 2025 depth chart would end the year with a 6-11 record, they’d have probably laughed you out of the Power and Light District. It sounds like a bad fever dream. But here we are, staring at a roster that, on paper, looked like a three-peat juggernaut and, in reality, became a cautionary tale about injuries and the razor-thin margins of the NFL.
Honestly, it wasn't just one thing. It was everything.
The season started with so much hype in São Paulo against the Chargers, but by the time Week 18 rolled around against the Raiders, the lineup was basically a "Who's That?" of practice squad elevations and late-season fliers. When Patrick Mahomes went down with that ACL tear late in the year, the floor didn't just drop—it vanished.
The Mahomes Factor and the Backup Carousel
Let's talk about the quarterback room because that's where the heart of the team lives. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes is the sun everything else orbits around. But in 2025, the depth behind him became the most talked-about topic in Missouri.
The Chiefs brought in Gardner Minshew to be the veteran safety net. It felt like a smart move at the time. You want a guy who has "been there, done that" if #15 has to miss a series or two. But when Minshew himself got banged up, the team was forced to turn to Chris Oladokun. Watching a third-stringer try to operate Andy Reid’s complex West Coast scheme during a six-game losing streak to end the season was, frankly, painful.
The QB depth chart looked like this by the end of the year:
- QB1: Patrick Mahomes (Injured Reserve)
- QB2: Gardner Minshew (Battling knee issues)
- QB3: Chris Oladokun
- QB4: Bailey Zappe (Practice squad/Futures)
It’s a stark reminder that no matter how good your "system" is, you can't lose a generational talent and a high-end backup and expect to keep the ship upright.
A Backfield That Never Quite Found Its Rhythm
The running game was supposed to be the "bruise" to the "finesse" of the passing attack. It didn't work out that way. Isiah Pacheco is a human fireball, we all know that, but he struggled to stay on the field in 2025.
Kareem Hunt came back on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, which felt like a great "prodigal son" storyline. He led the team in rushing with 611 yards, but a 3.7 yards-per-carry average isn't going to strike fear into the hearts of any defensive coordinators. Then you had Elijah Mitchell, brought in from San Francisco to add some speed, but the offensive line's inconsistency made it hard for anyone to find a hole.
The Chiefs ended up ranking 25th in the league in rushing. That's a huge reason why they fired running backs coach Todd Pinkston after the season. You can't have Mahomes scrambles be your third-most productive "running play" and expect to win the AFC West.
The Offensive Line: A Hallmark Under Pressure
If there was a bright spot, sort of, it was the big guys up front. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are absolute pillars. Humphrey, specifically, is a machine—the guy just doesn't miss starts. But the tackle spots were a revolving door.
The team took a big swing on Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 draft. He was supposed to be the franchise left tackle of the future. He showed flashes, but like so many others this year, he missed time with injuries. That forced Jaylon Moore and even Esa Pole into high-leverage snaps they probably weren't ready for.
When you look at the Chiefs 2025 depth chart for the offensive line, you see the talent:
- Left Tackle: Josh Simmons / Wanya Morris
- Left Guard: Kingsley Suamataia / Mike Caliendo
- Center: Creed Humphrey / Hunter Nourzad
- Right Guard: Trey Smith / C.J. Hanson
- Right Tackle: Jawaan Taylor / Jaylon Moore
The 31.4% pressure rate they allowed was actually 9th best in the league, which is wild considering the record. It proves that the line was doing its job, but the lack of a run game and the injuries at WR and QB just made their lives impossible.
Speed, Drops, and the Wide Receiver Room
We have to talk about the pass catchers. Travis Kelce is 36. He’s still a Pro Bowler, still the "Nationwide Charity Challenge" winner, and still the guy Mahomes looks for on 3rd and 8. But he can't do it alone.
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Xavier Worthy took a step forward in his second year, but the WR room was missing that reliable "move the chains" guy after DeAndre Hopkins left for Baltimore. Hollywood Brown stayed on the roster, but he was in and out of the lineup.
The biggest surprise? Jalen Royals, the rookie out of Utah State. He started the year way down the depth chart but ended up being one of the only guys who could consistently separate. Seeing him listed ahead of guys like Skyy Moore by the end of the year told you everything you needed to know about the state of the receiving corps.
Spagnuolo’s Defense: Solid but Gapped
Steve Spagnuolo usually works magic with young players. In 2025, he had his hands full. The secondary was actually pretty decent, anchored by Trent McDuffie and the rising star Jaden Hicks, who posted a really solid PFF grade.
But the pass rush? That was a problem. The Chiefs finished with only 35 sacks. When you can't get home with four, you have to blitz, and when you blitz and don't get there, you get carved up. Chris Jones is still a titan, but he’s facing double teams on every single snap because there wasn't enough consistent pressure coming from the edges.
George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu did their best, and rookie Ashton Gillotte showed some twitch, but it wasn't enough. There’s already talk in January 2026 about whether the Chiefs might actually consider trading Chris Jones to recoup assets for a total defensive line facelift. It sounds crazy, but a 6-11 season makes you rethink everything.
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What’s Next for the Chiefs Roster?
The 2025 season is over, and the "three-peak" dream is officially dead. Now, Brett Veach has to look at over 25 players headed for free agency. The depth chart that started 2025 is going to look nothing like the one that starts 2026.
Key Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Prioritize the Run Game: Firing the RBs and WRs coaches was the first step. They need a new offensive identity that doesn't rely 100% on Mahomes' magic.
- Address the Edge: 35 sacks won't cut it in the AFC West. Expect a heavy investment in defensive ends via the draft or a "bold move" in free agency.
- Solidify the Tackle Spots: Whether it's Simmons' health or a new veteran presence, the edge of the line needs to be locked down to protect Mahomes' recovery.
The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. It’s a bitter pill. But with a healthy Mahomes returning and a high draft pick for once, the 2026 version of this depth chart is going to be the most anticipated in years.
To get a better sense of how the team will rebuild, you should track the "Futures" contract signings throughout February, as these players often fill the bottom-of-the-roster spots that were so depleted by the end of the 2025 campaign. Keep a close eye on the health updates for Patrick Mahomes' ACL recovery, as his timeline will dictate every major decision the front office makes this spring.