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NFL rookie grades: Ranking each 2024 draft class, from No. 1 to 32 | NFL.com
29 – Kansas City Chiefs
Class grade: C-
Kansas City’s first two picks loomed large in Super Bowl LIX, even though only one of them played in the blowout loss. Let’s start with the good. Xavier Worthy steadily progressed over the course of the season, becoming the Chiefs’ go-to guy down the stretch. Catching at least five passes in seven straight starts leading into Super Bowl Sunday, Worthy saved his best for last, corralling all eight of his targets for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Yes, most of the production came after the game was already decided, but the rookie’s first 100-yard effort might have been the only silver lining of a K.C. nightmare. Speaking of nightmares, the Chiefs’ offensive line was a ticking time bomb all season long, ultimately exploding on football’s biggest stage. While both bookends proved problematic, the left tackle spot was the constant issue Andy Reid had to scheme around. Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia started the first two games in September but struggled so mightily he spent the rest of the season as a reserve, not playing a snap in the Super Bowl. No one’s saying Suamataia can’t take significant strides this offseason and re-emerge as a factor in Year 2, but he clearly wasn’t ready to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side in Year 1.
6 Trades, Free-agency Decisions and Teams That Could Define 2025 NFL Offseason | Bleacher Report
Can the Chiefs Keep Their Heads Above Water?
Trey Smith could leave in free agency to sign with a cap-rich team like the Patriots, but it doesn’t stop there for the defending AFC champions. The Chiefs have been hemorrhaging talent for several years, and it’s hard to imagine them hanging on much longer.
Starters Charles Omenihu, Justin Reid and Nick Bolton are also slated to join Smith on the open market, as well as Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Tershawn Wharton and Josh Uche.
For a team with limited cap space and draft capital, that could be a problem.
The Chiefs were lucky to land in the Super Bowl despite a mediocre offense and disappointing season from Patrick Mahomes in 2024. Accomplishing that required them to be perfect in 12 one-score regular-season and playoff games.
But with the aforementioned circumstances plaguing them entering this offseason, and with the Bills, Ravens, Bengals, Broncos and Chargers coming on in the AFC, we may be about to witness the fall of an empire.
Report: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs Had ‘Legit Super Bowl Fatigue’ Before Loss to Eagles | Bleacher Report
Henry McKenna of Fox Sports reported that the team may have been dealing with some burnout after reaching three consecutive Super Bowls and that it could have contributed to the team’s 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Before the game, a Chiefs coach told me that media members had been asking him if going to Super Bowls ever got old,” McKenna wrote. “And he bluntly told me: ‘It does.’ There was legit Super Bowl fatigue from this Chiefs team. It was completely clear in the first half, when things escalated quickly.”
The Chiefs have played 154 games since the start of 2018 and have played 61 total games over the last three seasons. That’s the most of any NFL team during that stretch and could have been a major reason for the team’s crushing performance in New Orleans last Sunday.
The biggest offseason needs for all 32 NFL teams: A lot of defense, OL and a few quarterbacks | The Athletic
Kansas City Chiefs: Left tackle
This might sound repetitive, but the Chiefs are back to where they were last spring — or in 2023, 2022 or 2021. Even if the Chiefs were three-time champions, their biggest roster needs would be the same. They desperately need a viable left tackle. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times in Super Bowl LIX. Mahomes will be 30 next season, and he could, for the first time in his career, be without tight end Travis Kelce, who is considering retirement. The Chiefs must acquire a left tackle who can be a dependable starter for multiple years. Remember, in the past six years, the Chiefs have started a different left tackle in each of their five Super Bowl appearances. — Nate Taylor
Around the NFL
Two People Shot Near Eagles’ Super Bowl Parade | SI
Two women were shot in the leg near the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parade on Friday afternoon, police say. Both are in stable condition.
The incident occurred close to Ben Franklin Parkway, but other details—including where exactly the shooting occurred on the Parkway, at what time it occurred, and whether the women knew the assailant—are still unclear, per the Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore, the two women—who looked to be in their 20s—were shot by a man in an Eagles jersey following an argument. Authorities do not know at this time what the argument was about, and a law enforcement source told the Inquirer that the two victims did not know one another.
Five NFL teams poised to take major fall in 2025: Vikings, Commanders appear primed for dropoff | CBS Sports
Denver Broncos (10-7)
The Broncos deserve all the credit in the world for winning 10 games and making the playoffs with a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix. The last-season slide never happened as Denver held off a late Cincinnati charge to make the playoffs, snapping a eight-season playoff drought. Nix protected the football throughout the year while showing the big-play capability with his arm, especially late in the year.
So why would Denver take a dive in 2025, even if it’s a small one? Replicating the No. 1 pass rush from last season will be very difficult, especially from a team that finished with 63 sacks and five players who had 5+ sacks last season. The Broncos need more production from their running backs and better blocking up front to take the pressure off Nix too.
The Broncos don’t have a brutal slate (.505 strength of schedule), but will face the Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders on the road. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are also in their division.
Winning 10 games is possible for Denver, but it will be tough for the Broncos to match that win total and go back to the playoffs.
Cam Newton doubles down on Panthers’ ‘losers’ mentality’ before arrival | ESPN
Former Carolina star quarterback Cam Newton doubled down on recent comments that the Panthers had “a locker room of losers” before drafting him with the first overall pick in 2011, saying his remarks were “aggressive” but “true.”
Newton said during Thursday’s “4th and 1 with Cam Newton” podcast that he was referring to the team’s performance as a whole and not individual players.
“When did we become so sensitive?” Newton said. “When did we become so sensitive to really speaking what the reality is? A locker room full of losers? Aggressive, but it’s true.”
Several former teammates, including star wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., took exception to comments Newton made during an appearance on a podcast with Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter leading up to the Super Bowl. He spoke about the pressure Hunter might face if he is drafted with the No. 1 pick.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Patrick Mahomes-Tom Brady GOAT debate isn’t over after Chiefs Super Bowl loss to Eagles
Let’s go back to Brady’s fourth Super Bowl title at age 37
As mentioned, Brady won his third Super Bowl title at age 27 when the Patriots beat Andy Reid’s Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX (2004 season). His next title, at age 37, came as the Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX (2014 season).
So, what happened in between (especially now, as Mahomes’ career is suddenly being defined by a single poor performance)?
2005 Divisional Round loss: Brady and the Patriots lost to Jake Plummer and the Broncos, 27-13.
2006 AFC Championship: Brady and the Patriots lost to Peyton Manning and the Colts, 38-34, with New England blowing a 21-3 lead. Brady had an interception on what could have been a game-winning drive.
2007 Super Bowl XLII: Brady and the previously-undefeated Patriots lost to Eli Manning and the New York Giants, 17-14.
2008 season: Brady tore his ACL in Week 1.
2009 Wild Card Round: Brady’s three first-quarter turnovers led to a 24-0 lead for Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens in what was a 33-14 final over the Patriots.
2010 Divisional Round: Brady and the Patriots lost to Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets, 28-21.
2011 Super Bowl XLVI: Brady and the Patriots lost to Eli Manning and the Giants, again — this time with a 21-17 final.
2012 AFC Championship: Brady throws two fourth-quarter interceptions as he and the Patriots lose to Ravens and Flacco, again — this time with a 28-13 final.
2013 AFC Championship: Brady and the Patriots lost to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, 26-16.
