When the Kansas City Chiefs take the field at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, they won’t be the powerhouse that has terrorized the AFC West for nearly a decade. At 6-10, the defending AFC champions are already eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2014, and they will be led by a quarterback who began the season third on the depth chart.
Patrick Mahomes is out after suffering season-ending ACL and LCL tears in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The surgery is done, and rehab has begun, but his status for the start of next season remains uncertain. Coach Andy Reid said this week, “Yeah, he’s around. He’s in the building working and doing his rehab, spending a lot of hours doing it. He’s around and sees the guys, but most of his time is being spent rehabbing.”
The Chiefs originally turned to former Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew, who signed in the offseason, but he also suffered a knee injury. That leaves the offense in the hands of Chris Oladokun, a South Dakota State product who has been with the organization since 2022.
Sunday’s game could also be the last for tight end Travis Kelce, who has been a nightmare for Las Vegas. Over the past 23 games against the Raiders, Kelce has amassed 131 receptions for 1,636 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping the Chiefs to a 19-4 record in that span. The 36-year-old has not announced his retirement, but defensive coordinator Patrick Graham acknowledged the challenge: “It’s been a privilege to go against them. Nothing but respect for the production, the leadership, the consistency.”
Off the field, the Chiefs are preparing for a major move. The franchise recently announced it will leave Arrowhead Stadium in Missouri for a new $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas, expected to open for the 2031 season. The state of Kansas will cover up to 70 percent of the cost through sales tax and revenue bonds, while the Chiefs will contribute $1 billion. Owner Clark Hunt said, “We made a decision as a family that this was the right opportunity and the best for the organization for several reasons. It’s about the fans. My dad was always about the fans and thinking about the future.” The domed facility would allow Kansas City to host events like a Super Bowl. “This will give Chiefs Kingdom a state-of-the-art facility for multiple generations, a building that can last for at least 50 or 60 years,” Hunt added.
