Chiefs Sign Walker III, Draft Delane 6th After 6-11 Collapse
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- Kansas City Chiefs went 6-11 in 2025, their worst record since 2012, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014 after a six-game season-ending losing streak.
- Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 as part of a cascade of season-ending injuries that also sidelined cornerback Trent McDuffie, offensive tackles Josh Simmons and Jawaan Taylor, and receiver Rashee Rice.
- Kenneth Walker III signed what the source calls the largest free agent running back contract in NFL history after winning Super Bowl MVP, arriving to upgrade a rushing attack that ranked 25th in yards per game.
- Kansas City drafted cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall and edge rusher R Mason Thomas in the second round to address a pass rush that finished 22nd in sacks and a secondary gutted by departures.
- Eric Bieniemy remains away from his post as offensive coordinator while his wife recovers from gunshot wounds in an incident involving the couple's son, leaving Kansas City without a play-caller.
- The betting market projects 10.5 wins, but the article concludes the Chiefs' roster is "about on par with last year's squad" despite Walker's arrival, with Travis Kelce declining and the offense lacking a true No. 1 receiver.
Why it matters: For a Chiefs franchise that hasn't missed the playoffs since 2014, the 6-11 collapse and Mahomes' ACL tear ended a decade of Lombardi-or-bust expectations. Betting markets see a 10.5-win rebound, but the article's own roster audit — neutral on defense, aging at receiver and tight end, and missing offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy — argues the Chiefs' Super Bowl window is closing rather than re-opening.
