If you woke up today, January 15, 2026, and started looking for a kickoff time, I've got some tough news for you. No, the Kansas City Chiefs do not play today. In fact, they aren’t playing this week at all. For the first time in over a decade, the Kingdom is quiet during the Divisional Round, and honestly, it feels a little weird, doesn't it?
Since 2014, we’ve basically penciled in Patrick Mahomes or Alex Smith into the January schedule like it was a federal holiday. But 2025 was... well, it was a year. After a grueling regular season that ended with a 6-11 record, the Chiefs are officially in "rebuild and recover" mode while the rest of the AFC dukes it out for a trip to Santa Clara.
Do the Kansas City Chiefs play today? Breaking down the 2026 playoff bracket
While you won't see the red and gold on your TV today, the NFL playoffs are moving full steam ahead. The Divisional Round is actually set for this coming weekend, January 17 and 18. If you’re a football junkie and just need a fix, here is who is actually taking the field:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Buffalo Bills travel to face the Denver Broncos at 4:30 p.m. ET. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks renew their rivalry at 8:15 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots (3:00 p.m. ET), followed by the Rams and Bears (6:30 p.m. ET).
It’s a strange lineup. Seeing Denver and New England at the top of the AFC seeds feels like a total time warp. For Chiefs fans, today is less about "who do we play?" and more about "how do we get back?"
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The Mahomes health update: Why Arrowhead is quiet
The biggest reason the question do the Kansas City Chiefs play today results in a "no" is the health of #15. We all saw that mid-December game where everything changed. Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery last month to repair two torn ligaments in his left knee, and the recovery road is the only thing the front office cares about right now.
Mahomes actually spoke to the media today, January 15. He sounded optimistic, saying his rehab is "hitting all the checkpoints." He’s aiming for a Week 1 return in September, but he’s also being a realist. A nine-month recovery is no joke, especially for a guy whose game relies so much on that "magic" outside the pocket.
Without Mahomes under center for the final stretch of 2025, the offense just couldn't find its rhythm. It was painful to watch at times.
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A coaching staff in flux
While the players are off the field, the front office is working overtime today. The news just broke that the Chiefs have fired running backs coach Todd Pinkston and wide receivers coach Connor Embree.
Honestly, it felt inevitable.
The Chiefs had the league's worst explosive run rate last year. You can’t win in this league if you’re predictable, and the run game was as stagnant as a pond in July. There’s also talk that offensive coordinator Matt Nagy might be heading to the Tennessee Titans for a head coaching gig. If that happens, Andy Reid is going to have a lot of seats to fill by the time the draft rolls around in April.
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What’s next for the Kingdom?
So, the Kansas City Chiefs do not play today, but the "offseason" is going to be anything but quiet. If you're looking for something to track, keep an eye on these milestones:
- The 2026 Draft: Since the Chiefs finished 6-11, they’ll have a much higher pick than we’re used to. It's an opportunity to snag a generational talent to protect Mahomes' blind side.
- The RB Coach Search: Sam McDowell over at the KC Star has been vocal about the team needing a "run-game coordinator" rather than just a position coach. We’ll see if Reid listens.
- Mahomes' Rehab Clips: Expect to see plenty of "treadmill videos" on Instagram over the next few months. Every step he takes is the most important step in the franchise right now.
It’s a bummer not seeing a game today, especially since we’ve been spoiled for so long. But maybe a winter off is exactly what this roster needs to get their legs back under them.
If you want to keep tabs on the recovery or the new coaching hires, the best thing to do is set alerts for the official Chiefs team reports or follow the local KC beat writers who are at the facility today. We'll be back in the hunt before you know it.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the TV Schedule: If you still want to watch football, the Divisional Round games start this Saturday on CBS and FOX.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Follow Julie Frymyer (Chiefs athletic trainer) on social media; she's the one leading Mahomes' recovery.
- Evaluate the Draft Order: Take a look at the current 2026 NFL Draft projections to see which offensive linemen are expected to go in the top 10.