It happened in the blink of an eye. One minute Patrick Mahomes is scrambling like he always does, and the next, Arrowhead is silent. If you’ve been following the kansas city chiefs news now, you know that the 2025 season didn't just end; it imploded.
Missing the playoffs for the first time in over a decade is a bitter pill to swallow for a fanbase that has basically forgotten what losing feels like. But here we are on January 18, 2026, and the chatter isn't about the current postseason games happening without us. It’s about the recovery, the draft, and the massive coaching overhaul currently brewing in the facility.
Honestly, the energy is weird. It’s part funeral, part "we’re going to burn the league down next year."
The Mahomes Recovery: Checkpoints and Reality
Patrick Mahomes isn't just "injured." He’s recovering from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, surgery he had back in mid-December. The latest updates from the building are actually surprisingly optimistic. Mahomes spoke to the media just a few days ago and he’s already eying Week 1 of the 2026 season.
"Rehab is hitting all the checkpoints," he said. He’s working with Julie Frymyer, the physical therapist he trusts more than anyone. You remember her—she was the one who got him through the high ankle sprain during the 2022 Super Bowl run.
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But let’s be real for a second.
ACL and LCL tears are a nine-month recovery on average. September 10, 2026, is the target. That’s a tight window. Mahomes wants to be a full go for training camp, but the doctors are having to hold him back because he keeps trying to push the limits. The guy just cannot sit still.
The Coaching Carousel Is Getting Messy
While the QB focuses on his knee, Andy Reid is busy watching his staff evaporate. This is the part of the kansas city chiefs news now that should actually worry you. It's not just Matt Nagy possibly taking a head coaching job elsewhere; it’s the institutional knowledge walking out the door.
Veteran offensive line coach Andy Heck is reportedly considering retirement.
That is huge.
Heck has been the glue for that O-line since 2013. If he leaves, and Nagy leaves, Reid is basically starting from scratch on the offensive side of the ball.
We also saw the team fire wide receivers coach Todd Pinkston and tight ends coach Connor Embree after the season finale loss to the Raiders. The offense was, to put it bluntly, a mess last year. They averaged barely 106 rushing yards per game and the receivers... well, let's just say drops were a lifestyle choice. Reid is clearly in "accountability mode."
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Xavier Worthy and the "Monster" Narrative
If you need a reason to feel good, look at Xavier Worthy. He played through a torn labrum for most of last season, which explains why his production cratered. He finally had surgery right after Week 18.
He recently posted on social media: "Keep doubting me y'all are making a monster!"
When he’s healthy, that speed is real. But speed doesn't matter if you can't catch a high-point ball because your shoulder is hanging by a thread. A healthy Worthy alongside a rehabbed Mahomes is the dream for 2026, but the Chiefs are almost certainly going to look at the draft for more help.
Roster Moves You Might Have Missed
The "Future/Reserve" contract season is officially here. This is the boring part of the news cycle that actually matters for depth.
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- Carson Steele is gone. He signed with the Eagles.
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire saw his practice squad contract expire.
- Marlon Tuipulotu (DT) was signed recently to a future deal.
The running back room is essentially empty right now besides Isiah Pacheco. There’s a lot of talk about the Chiefs using their No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 draft on someone like Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame or maybe a blue-chip wide receiver like Carnell Tate.
What This Means for Your Offseason
The Chiefs finished 6-11. It’s the worst record of the Andy Reid era in KC. But the "dynasty" isn't dead—it's just in the shop for repairs.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the defensive side too. Chris Jones is always a trade rumor waiting to happen when the team needs cap space for a rebuild. The front office has to decide if they want to run it back with the old guard or if 2026 is the start of a "Chiefs 2.0" era.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the Combine: Watch the 40-yard dash times for the top three WR prospects; Reid is clearly hunting for speed to replace the production lost last season.
- Monitor the OC Search: If Matt Nagy leaves, look for Reid to hire an "outside" voice rather than promoting from within to fix the stagnant play-calling.
- Check the March 11 Deadline: That’s when the new league year starts and when we’ll see if the Chiefs make a splash in free agency to bolster the protection for Mahomes’ knee.