It feels weird. Honestly, it feels completely wrong. For the first time since 2014, the playoffs are happening and the red and gold are nowhere to be found. If you’re looking for the kansas city next game, you won’t find it on a January bracket or a Super Bowl teaser. The 2025 season ended with a thud—a 6–11 record that sent shockwaves through the Kingdom and left Patrick Mahomes watching the Divisional Round from his couch.
But here’s the thing: while the rest of the AFC is beating each other up for a trip to Santa Clara, the real work in Kansas City has already started. The "next game" isn't a kickoff; it's a total structural rebuild that officially begins at the NFL Draft in April.
When Is the Next Time the Chiefs Actually Play?
Technically, the kansas city next game will take place in August 2026 during the preseason. We won't have the exact dates until the NFL drops the full schedule in mid-May, but we already know the "who" and the "where." Because of the way the NFL rotations work, the Chiefs are staring down a brutal slate.
They’ve got the NFC West and the AFC East on the calendar. That means San Francisco and Buffalo are coming to Arrowhead. It’s not exactly a "get right" schedule for a team coming off double-digit losses.
📖 Related: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
The 2026 Home Opponents
- Denver Broncos: The division rivals who actually took the AFC West crown this year.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Always a dogfight, especially with their recent defensive surge.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The annual grudge match.
- San Francisco 49ers: A Super Bowl rematch that feels a lot different now.
- New York Jets: A defensive test for Mahomes and the new-look O-line.
- New England Patriots: Looking to prove their 2025 playoff run wasn't a fluke.
- Arizona Cardinals: A chance to see how the secondary holds up against Kyler Murray.
- Indianapolis Colts: A matchup determined by the third-place divisional finish.
The Road Warriors
The travel schedule is even more punishing. Kansas City has to fly to Seattle, Miami, and Los Angeles (Rams). They also have a date in Atlanta against the Falcons for that "17th game" crossover. If you’re planning a road trip, that Atlanta game is the one people are circling. New stadium, fast turf, and a fan base that's surprisingly loud.
Why the Post-Mahomes Era Panic is Premature
People are talking. You’ve heard it. The "dynasty is dead" narratives are everywhere on sports talk radio. After a 6–11 collapse and a six-game losing streak to end the season, it’s easy to see why. The offense looked stagnant. Travis Kelce’s retirement rumors aren't going away.
But looking at the kansas city next game through the lens of one bad year is a mistake. The Chiefs have the 9th overall pick in the 2026 Draft. Think about that. When was the last time Andy Reid had a top-10 pick and a healthy Patrick Mahomes?
👉 See also: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
The front office, led by Brett Veach, is basically treating this offseason like a hard reset. They have nearly $60 million in projected cap space if they make the right cuts. The "game" right now is won in the front office, not on the field. They need a true WR1 to take the pressure off Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Last year, the drop rate was historic. You can't win in the NFL when your receivers treat the ball like a hot potato.
The Narrative Nobody is Talking About: The Defense
While everyone is obsessed with Mahomes and the lack of explosive plays, the defense actually kept them in games longer than they deserved. Trent McDuffie is still an All-Pro caliber corner. George Karlaftis is a wrecking ball.
The problem? They were on the field for 40 minutes a game because the offense couldn't sustain a drive.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
When we talk about the kansas city next game, we’re really talking about whether Steve Spagnuolo can keep this unit together while the offense finds its soul again. There's a lot of young talent in that secondary—guys like Chamarri Conner and Jaden Hicks—who are going to be cornerstones by the time the 2026 season opener rolls around.
What You Should Do Now
If you're a fan, the "next game" is really the scouting combine in February and the Draft in April.
- Watch the Cap Casualties: Keep an eye on the veteran contracts. The Chiefs need to get younger and faster.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: There are already rumors of a shake-up on the offensive side. If Andy Reid brings in a new set of eyes for the pass game, that’s a win.
- The Draft Strategy: With the 9th pick, the Chiefs are in "Blue Chip" territory. They could go offensive tackle to protect the franchise, or they could grab the best playmaker available.
The silence at Arrowhead right now is deafening, but it’s also necessary. The road back to the top doesn't start with a kickoff; it starts with fixing the mistakes of 2025. Mark your calendars for May for the official schedule release, but keep your eyes on the transaction wire until then.