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The Kansas City Chiefs have become synonymous with dominance in recent NFL history, but ESPN analyst and NFL veteran Stephen A. Smith believes their reign could be nearing an end. Following their crushing Super Bowl defeat earlier this year, Smith delivered a blunt assessment of the team’s chances in the upcoming 2025/26 season, warning that history may repeat itself.
A crushing loss that lingers
The Chiefs’ 40-22 Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles has raised serious concerns about their ability to bounce back. For Patrick Mahomes, it marked yet another lopsided defeat on football’s biggest stage. As Smith pointed out, the quarterback now joins John Elway as one of only two players in NFL history to lose multiple Super Bowls by 18 or more points.
“At the end of the 2020 season, Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs lost the Super Bowl by 21 points, 30-9, to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. Philadelphia beat Kansas City 40-22 in February,” Smith reminded fans.
While Mahomes’ individual brilliance remains unquestioned, Smith stressed the impact of poor protection, stating, “He couldn't be protected. They got slaughtered, just like he couldn't be protected against Tampa and they got slaughtered.”
Offseason moves to fix protection
The Chiefs wasted little time addressing their weaknesses after the Super Bowl. They secured offensive tackle Jaylon Moore on a two-year, $30 million deal and used their first-round draft pick on Ohio State’s Josh Simmons. Despite Simmons’ previous knee injury, he has already locked down the starting left tackle role during training camp, showing promise in solidifying Mahomes’ protection.
Competition heating up in the AFC
However, Smith believes bolstering the offensive line may not be enough. He predicts stiff competition from teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills, both capable of keeping Kansas City away from the Super Bowl this time around.
“So, all of those things give us an indication that the road to prosperity is going to be a bit more difficult for the Kansas City Chiefs this year than it has been in recent memory,” Smith said. “They've been pretty damn dominant. At some point in time, people are saying it's got to end, and I think that this year is the year that it does.”
Smith also highlighted the Denver Broncos’ defensive strength, suggesting they could finally dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West after Kansas City’s nine consecutive division titles.
The Kansas City Chiefs have thrived in adversity before, but the scars of repeated Super Bowl blowouts may weigh heavily on Mahomes and his team this season. With AFC rivals strengthening and their dynasty being questioned, the 2025/26 campaign could become a defining chapter in Kansas City’s storied run.
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