The Chiefs are struggling this year because their old formula isn’t working anymore and the roster around Mahomes has slipped in several key areas.
Offensive problems
Defenses have adjusted to Andy Reid’s passing concepts, and the offense has become more predictable, making it easier to defend. The offensive line play has dropped, with tackle performance and penalties stalling drives, and the receivers aren’t consistently getting open or winning 1‑on‑1s.
No run game balance
Kansas City has one of the least explosive rushing attacks in the league, so almost everything falls on Mahomes’ arm. When a team can’t run efficiently or create big gains on the ground, defenses sit on the pass and force long, difficult drives where small mistakes kill possessions.
Aging core and injuries
Some of the stars who used to tilt games, like Chris Jones and Travis Kelce, are no longer as dominant week to week, and younger replacements or recent draft picks haven’t fully stepped up. Combined with injuries and suspensions at key spots (receiver, offensive line), the overall roster looks thinner, slower, and more worn down than past Chiefs teams.
Close games and confidence
The Chiefs used to be elite in one‑score games, but this season they are losing many of those tight contests instead of closing them out. Repeated late‑game failures, penalties, and breakdowns have chipped away at the team’s confidence, so the margin for error that once covered flaws just isn’t there anymore.
Summary table
Factor| What’s going wrong
---|---
Scheme/offense| More predictable passing game, defenses adjusted, playcalling
inconsistency.13
Supporting cast| Weaker OL play, more penalties, WRs not separating, aging
stars.125
Run game| Historically weak explosive run rate, no balance to help Mahomes.3
Defense/pressure| Blitz and pass‑rush effectiveness down from prior years in
key spots.7
Intangibles| Fatigue, confidence issues, losing one‑score games they used to
win.268