It’s been a jarring start to the 2025 NFL season for the Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise that’s spent the better part of the last decade as the league’s gold standard. For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have stumbled out of the gate with an 0-2 record—a statistic that has sent ripples throughout the AFC West and beyond. The team’s last winless start this deep into September dates back to 2015, and it’s the first time Mahomes has dropped three consecutive games since his Texas Tech days. Suddenly, the aura of invincibility that’s surrounded Kansas City seems to have faded, if only temporarily.
But what exactly has gone wrong for the defending AFC West champions? The answer, as it turns out, is a complex web of injuries, offensive struggles, and surging competition within the division. The Chiefs’ defense, helmed by Steve Spagnuolo, remains one of the league’s most formidable units. However, the offense has sputtered since Matt Nagy took over as offensive coordinator from Eric Bieniemy. The loss of key wide receivers has only exacerbated the problem, leaving Mahomes with a depleted arsenal of targets.
Rashee Rice, one of Mahomes’ most reliable weapons, is sidelined for the next four games. Meanwhile, rookie speedster Xavier Worthy’s status remains uncertain as he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered on his very first offensive series of the year. Even if Worthy is cleared to return for Week 3, expectations are that he’ll be limited. The result? A receiving corps that’s looking painfully thin, with Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown failing to live up to the big-play billing that accompanied his arrival—he’s managed just 24 receptions for 129 yards on 36 targets so far this season.
The Chiefs’ woes have prompted suggestions that the front office, led by general manager Brett Veach, should get aggressive before the November trade deadline. One name that’s surfaced repeatedly is Romeo Doubs of the Green Bay Packers. Doubs, 25, is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has found himself on the outside looking in on a crowded Packers depth chart. Despite flashes of potential—152 receptions, 1,796 yards, and 16 touchdowns in 45 career games, with 5 catches for 96 yards and a score already this season—Doubs has reportedly clashed with Packers management, even serving a suspension for missing practice last year. With Green Bay’s pass-catching group featuring the likes of Christian Watson, rookie Matthew Golden, and tight end Tucker Kraft, Doubs could be a prime candidate for a midseason move.
Adding Doubs to the mix would give Kansas City a much-needed boost, especially as the team tries to weather the absence of Rice and the uncertainty around Worthy. As one analyst put it, “Adding Doubs next to Rice and Worthy would give the Chiefs a more dynamic and well-rounded WR unit.” The clock is ticking, and if Kansas City wants to reverse its fortunes, bold moves may be required sooner rather than later.
Meanwhile, the AFC West landscape has shifted dramatically. The Los Angeles Chargers, led by new head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert, are off to a blistering 2-0 start. They opened the season with a 27-21 win over the Chiefs in Sao Paolo, Brazil—a game that set the tone for the division—and followed up with a convincing 20-6 road victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Chargers’ young roster, with an average age just over 25, is anchored by Herbert, Ladd McConkey, Derwin James Jr., and Joe Alt—all under 30 and poised to form the nucleus of a potential dynasty.
This youth movement in Los Angeles is complemented by smart offseason moves, like re-acquiring veteran receiver Keenan Allen and adding running back Najee Harris. Harbaugh’s energy and Michigan-honed coaching acumen have breathed new life into the franchise. “The Chargers took advantage of the Chiefs’ slow start and are in position to have a chokehold on the division both now and for the foreseeable future,” one report noted. Herbert, for his part, has silenced critics with a sparkling 10:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio through two games—a testament to the freedom Harbaugh has given him to play his game. If Herbert keeps up this pace, he could be on track for one of the best two-year stretches for a quarterback in NFL history.
As the Chiefs search for answers, off-field storylines have also grabbed headlines. Pop superstar Taylor Swift, engaged to Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, attended Kansas City’s first home game of the season at Arrowhead Stadium. Due to heightened security concerns following recent gun violence incidents, Swift entered the stadium behind a large movable wall, sparking a wave of concern and debate among fans on social media. “Anyone unable to tell this is for her safety is either really dense or mentally immature,” wrote one fan, echoing the sentiment of many who believe the extreme measures are justified given the threats Swift faces. Neither Swift nor Kelce have commented publicly on the situation, but the incident underscores the unique pressures facing high-profile athletes and their families.
On the field, the Chiefs’ latest setback came against the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City had a chance late in the game, but a dropped pass by Kelce—one that could have given the Chiefs a fourth-quarter lead—proved costly. The Eagles capitalized, intercepting the deflection and turning it into a decisive touchdown. The 20-17 defeat marked the first time the Chiefs have started 0-2 since 2014, and the first time Mahomes has lost three straight games since college.
Despite the mounting pressure, Mahomes is urging calm inside the locker room. “We’re not hitting the panic button. We’ve been in this situation before. We have the right guys in this locker room to turn things around,” he told reporters after the Eagles game. The Chiefs remain 6-point favorites against the New York Giants in their upcoming matchup, and with Andy Reid still at the helm, there’s a sense that the dynasty isn’t dead—just in need of a little resuscitation.
That optimism is echoed in some corners of the media. “The 0-2 start is cause for concern, but the Chiefs will find their way out of the hole,” wrote one analyst, noting that Kansas City has faced tough competition and is likely to regain its form as the season progresses. The Chiefs have dropped out of the top 10 in the latest power rankings, but with the possible return of Worthy and Rice in the coming weeks, and a defense that continues to impress, there’s hope that Mahomes and company can right the ship.
Still, the question lingers: Are the Chiefs’ best days behind them, or is this just a temporary blip for a team that’s become synonymous with winning? With the AFC West suddenly up for grabs and the Chargers looking every bit the part of a rising powerhouse, Kansas City faces a pivotal stretch. The next few weeks will reveal whether the Chiefs can reclaim their throne—or if a new era is dawning out west.
