The curtain has fallen on the 2025 NFL regular season, leaving teams outside the playoff picture to confront an uncertain future. For the Kansas City Chiefs, a franchise once synonymous with championship contention, the list of pressing questions is particularly daunting.
The Case for a Kansas City Rebuild
In the wake of a disappointing campaign, prominent voices are suggesting radical change. Sports writer Brad Gagnon, in a Bleacher Report article titled 'Bold Statements Following the 2025 NFL Regular Season', has put forward the controversial idea that the Chiefs should consider a complete overhaul.
Gagnon argues the organisation needs to start with a clean slate, a notion that extends to even contemplating the future of their franchise quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. The superstar signal-caller is currently recovering from a torn ACL, an injury with the potential to impact his career trajectory, and has just completed the fifth year of his monumental ten-year, $450million contract.
The Monumental Hurdles of a Mahomes Trade
While Gagnon concedes that moving on from Mahomes so swiftly seems unlikely, he insists the Chiefs "shouldn't rule it out in the event of a blockbuster offer." The practicalities of such a transaction, however, are staggering.
Any acquiring team would likely need to surrender a package including multiple first-round draft picks alongside considerable established talent. The financial commitment is even more eye-watering. According to Spotrac, while Mahomes' 2025 cap hit was over $28 million, it is set to balloon to a colossal $78.2 million in 2026, with a base salary of $45.35 million.
Current analysis suggests only eight NFL teams could absorb such a cap hit immediately:
- Tennessee Titans
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Jets
- Washington Commanders
- Los Angeles Rams
Yet, a trade within the division to the Raiders or Chargers is virtually unthinkable. Other suitors like the Titans and Commanders have invested in young quarterbacks, and the Rams boast MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. This severely limits any plausible market.
An Uncertain Road Ahead for the Chiefs
Beyond the Mahomes conjecture, Kansas City must navigate other significant challenges. The potential retirement of legendary tight end Travis Kelce looms large, and the team has a significant number of free agents to address.
Gagnon's stark conclusion is that the Chiefs must "regroup and rebuild around him [Mahomes] in dramatic fashion or this whole thing will begin to rot." With the dual uncertainties of Mahomes' knee rehabilitation and the team's financial structure, the offseason in Kansas City promises to be one of the most closely watched in the league. For now, a trade involving their iconic quarterback remains a fanciful notion, but it underscores the scale of the dilemma facing the franchise.
