For the first time in a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs are spending January off the field after finishing 2025 at 6-11 and failing to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Clark Hunt, the team’s chairman and CEO, appeared on Tuesday’s edition of “Good Morning Football” on NFL Network. Hunt made clear he expects missing the postseason for only the second time under head coach Andy Reid to merely be a one-year absence.
“We’re excited about the challenge that we have now of getting back,” said Hunt. “We still have a great roster. We still have Andy Reid and a really outstanding coaching staff. We are going to work very hard in 2026 to make sure that we are part of the playoffs and hopefully part of the Super Bowl.”
Much of what can be accomplished in 2026 rests in the health of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a torn ACL in December. Hunt knows it is too early to put a firm timeline on Mahomes’ return, but he has been impressed with how the face of the league has handled the early stage of his recovery.
“I was with Patrick a couple of days ago in our training room,” recalled Hunt, “watching him go through the work that he’s doing to get back onto the field with the rehab. Nobody works harder than Patrick. He certainly has a goal of being back for the beginning of the season. I wouldn’t put it past him. He’s somebody in the past who has healed quickly. Again, his work ethic I think gives him a huge advantage of getting back and being ready to play in 2026.
Whether Kansas City’s 2026 season is a success or failure may also be impacted by whether 36-year-old tight end Travis Kelce returns for a 14th season. Hunt hopes the future Pro Football Hall of Fame member puts off retirement for another year, but he will happily give Kelce time to make the decision. Kelce’s upcoming wedding to superstar singer Taylor Swift could also affect his timing this offseason.
“As an organization, we certainly hope that he will come back,” Hunt remarked. “He had another great year. Maybe not on part with where he was four or five years ago, but he still had over 800 yards and was really one of the leaders on the offensive side of the ball for us. So, there’s no doubt in my mind that he can still play. We’re trying to be respectful and let him have the time that he needs to make a decision. He has sort of a busy offseason coming up with his engagement and marriage. So, we want to be respectful and give him the time he needs to make a decision, but we certainly hope that he’ll be back.”
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