The Kansas City Chiefs, a team synonymous with postseason football over the past decade, found themselves in unfamiliar territory as the curtain fell on the 2025 NFL regular season. For the first time in ten years, the Chiefs' campaign concluded with the final whistle of Week 18, leaving fans and players alike reflecting on a season filled with adversity, milestones, and the winds of change blowing through Arrowhead Stadium.
Heading into their regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs were already reeling from a string of setbacks. Quarterback Gardner Minshew, who had stepped in following Patrick Mahomes' season-ending knee injury, was sidelined early in Week 16 with a knee injury of his own. The loss left Kansas City scrambling for answers under center. In a move that raised eyebrows across the league, the Chiefs turned to Shane Buechele, recently acquired from the Buffalo Bills' practice squad, to shore up their depleted quarterback ranks.
Buechele's return to Kansas City was about more than just filling a roster spot. The 27-year-old quarterback, undrafted out of SMU in 2021, had spent two seasons with the Chiefs, bouncing between the active roster and the practice squad before signing with the Bills after failing to make Kansas City's 2024 roster. His journey back to Arrowhead was a testament to perseverance—and the deep connections he'd forged in the Chiefs' locker room.
"Shane's (Buechele) my guy. I was really happy to have him back. Me, Pat (Mahomes), and Shane still have our group text back from rookie year that we texted almost every single day," shared fellow quarterback Chris Oladokun during a press conference last week. "Whether it's stupid stuff on Twitter or reels and stuff, and always keeping up with each other's families. Really close friend of mine. Glad he's here, and it was awesome to get a text from him. He was just like: 'I'm here for you, whatever you need, man, I'm here for you.' It's good to have him back in the building."
Buechele, who had not attempted a pass in a regular-season NFL game prior to his return, found himself thrust into the spotlight in the second half against the Raiders. With Chris Oladokun starting but eventually giving way, Buechele became the fourth quarterback to take snaps for the Chiefs this season—a testament to the team's injury woes and the resilience demanded of its players.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, the game carried monumental significance for another Chiefs stalwart: tight end Travis Kelce. The matchup against the Raiders could very well have been the final chapter in Kelce's storied 13-year NFL career. At 36 years old and set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Kelce faced a crossroads—one that would not only shape his legacy but also the future of the Chiefs offense.
Kelce, ever the professional, made history in the second half. Hauling in his second catch of the game—a pass from Buechele—he notched his 13,000th career receiving yard, becoming the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach that milestone. The achievement was met with immediate celebration from teammates past and present, none more prominent than Patrick Mahomes. Though sidelined with injury, Mahomes took to social media to share his excitement, posting "13K!" with a muscle emoji on X.
The bond between Mahomes and Kelce is the stuff of NFL legend. Drafted in 2013, the same year Andy Reid took the reins as head coach, Kelce quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the Chiefs' offense. When Mahomes arrived in 2017 and assumed the starting role in 2018, their chemistry electrified the league. Together, they reached five Super Bowls, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy three times and etching their names into football lore.
This season, however, was a departure from the script. After a heartbreaking defeat in Super Bowl LIX the previous year, expectations were sky-high. But injuries, inconsistency, and a revolving door at quarterback derailed the Chiefs' quest for another championship. The absence of Mahomes in the final stretch was keenly felt, and the team’s offense struggled to find its rhythm without its field general.
Through it all, Kelce remained a constant. His leadership on and off the field provided a steadying influence for a team in flux. As the clock wound down in Las Vegas, fans and teammates alike wondered if they were witnessing the end of an era. Kelce, ever thoughtful about his future, is expected to consult with friends and family before making a decision on retirement in the coming weeks or months.
Meanwhile, Buechele’s unexpected opportunity was not lost on those who had watched his journey. Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke highly of the young quarterback after his departure from Buffalo. "I think more than anything, I'm happy for Shane. He and his family, they've been with us and done a phenomenal job and have a ton of respect and love and admiration for Shane," McDermott said during a recent press conference.
For the Chiefs, Buechele’s presence provided a sense of continuity, even amid chaos. The camaraderie in the quarterback room—fostered over years of shared experiences, group texts, and mutual support—was never more evident than in these trying weeks. The team’s resilience, though tested, became a defining feature of their season.
As the Chiefs look ahead, questions abound. Will Kelce hang up his cleats, or is there one more run left in the tank? When will Mahomes return to full health, and can the team recapture its championship form? How will the front office address the quarterback depth chart after a season marked by injuries and uncertainty?
What’s clear is that the Chiefs’ identity—built on relationships, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence—remains unshaken. Whether it’s the steadfast leadership of Andy Reid, the record-breaking exploits of Kelce, or the quiet determination of players like Buechele, the franchise continues to set a standard for professionalism and heart in the NFL.
With the offseason now underway for Kansas City, attention turns to the decisions that will shape the next chapter of Chiefs football. Fans will watch closely as Kelce weighs his future and as Mahomes works toward a comeback. For now, though, the echoes of this season—its challenges, its triumphs, and its unforgettable moments—linger in the minds of all who bleed red and gold.
