When a dynasty stumbles, the questions come fast and hard — especially when it’s the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time since 2014, the postseason will go on without the red and gold, after a crushing 16-13 loss to the Chargers capped off a disappointing season and ended one of the NFL’s most impressive playoff streaks.
But what sent shockwaves through the league wasn’t just the loss — it was what happened during it. Patrick Mahomes, the face of the franchise and the league’s brightest star, tore his ACL. In a single moment, Kansas City’s hopes were dashed, and with them came murmurs of a deeper unraveling. Could this be the end of the Andy Reid era?
Not so fast.
Despite the swirling rumors and the eerie quiet that tends to follow a fallen empire, league insiders are already shutting down the idea of Reid walking away. According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, sources close to the head coach were blunt: “Coach Reid ain’t going out like this.”
And that feels right. Reid, the architect behind a modern NFL powerhouse — three Super Bowl rings, 300+ wins, and a decade of dominance — has earned the right to leave on his own terms. This, clearly, won’t be it.
Still, that doesn’t mean the Chiefs aren’t entering a period of change. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is reportedly on his way out, opting not to sign a contract extension — a move that could shift the offensive identity just as the team faces a Mahomes-less start to 2026.
Then there’s the Travis Kelce situation.
At 36, Kelce has been the engine behind so many of Mahomes’ greatest moments. But the wear is showing. Though he’s likely to eclipse his career-low receiving yardage from last season, he’s on pace for his lowest catch total in eight years. And the body language? Subtle, but telling. Mistakes, slower separation, and a quiet refusal to shut down retirement rumors all signal a man thinking beyond the field.
Kelce says his focus is on the final three games, and there’s no doubt he’ll give everything he’s got. But when your quarterback is sidelined and your offense is in flux, it becomes easier to imagine a legendary tight end choosing to go out before the lights dim too far.
