How Andy Reid Navigates the Chiefs’ Remaining 2025 Season
The final whistle against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday signaled more than just a 16-13 loss. It marked a rare and jarring reality for Kansas City. The Chiefs have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. To make matters significantly worse, the franchise faces the reality of a long offseason without its captain. Patrick Mahomes suffered a severe knee injury in the closing stages of the game, an ACL tear that reports suggest required surgery to repair additional damage.
It is a nightmare scenario for a team accustomed to playing deep into January and February. The three-time defending AFC champions are now looking at three weeks of football with no postseason implications. The question circulating around the league is simple. What do the Chiefs do now? Do they pack it in to protect their assets for 2026, or do they conduct business as usual?
The Reid Standard: Playing to Win
Head coach Andy Reid addressed the media on Monday with a tone that should surprise no one who has followed his career. There is no tanking in his playbook. When asked about his strategy for the remaining games against the Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, Reid was emphatic about maintaining the competitive integrity of the team.
Reid told reporters that every game is an opportunity to win. He said that “we are in America” and competing is simply what they do. His message to the locker room and the fanbase is clear. If a player is healthy and available, they are going to play. The coaching staff expects the starters to suit up and execute.
This approach speaks to the culture Reid has built in Kansas City. Complacency is a dangerous habit in the NFL. Reid emphasized that it is the responsibility of the coaches to clean up the schemes and the responsibility of the players to finish strong. While the standings say these games do not matter, the tape still exists. Every snap is an evaluation.
Roster Mechanics and the Quarterback Situation
The front office has already begun making necessary adjustments to field a team for the final stretch. With roster spots vacated by CJ Hanson and Mike Edwards, the Chiefs signed guard Nick Broeker and safety Tanner McCalister to the practice squad. These are depth moves designed to keep practice competitive and provide insurance for the active roster.
The most glaring hole is obviously under center. While there has been no official transaction yet moving Patrick Mahomes to Injured Reserve, that administrative move is inevitable. The expectation is that the Chiefs will promote quarterback Chris Oladokun to fill the open roster space.
The team has to navigate a delicate balance here. They need a functional offense to evaluate their skill position players properly. You cannot assess a young wide receiver if the quarterback operation is broken. The next three weeks will likely be a showcase for the backup quarterbacks to prove they belong in the league, whether in Kansas City or elsewhere.
Balancing Veteran Pride and Youth Evaluation
While Reid insists that healthy starters will play, the nuance lies in the snap counts. It is unlikely we will see veteran stalwarts grinding out 60 snaps a game in meaningless contests. The logical approach involves a rotation. We can expect the starters to set the tone early before giving way to younger talent.
This is a crucial period for the “young guys” Reid mentioned in his press conference. The general manager, Brett Veach, has brought in talent that needs live reps. The final three games offer a stress-free environment for rookies and developmental players to make mistakes and learn from them without the pressure of a playoff race breathing down their necks.
The schedule provides a mix of challenges. The Titans and Raiders should be manageable games where the Chiefs can focus on execution. The Christmas Day matchup against the Denver Broncos presents the biggest hurdle. Even without playoff stakes, a rivalry game on a national holiday carries its own weight. It serves as a final “Super Bowl” for a team that won’t see the real one this year.
Looking Toward 2026
The work for the 2026 season effectively starts now. Reid expressed optimism about the future, citing his trust in Veach to retool the roster. The injury to Mahomes is a setback, but Reid is confident in the quarterback’s rehab process and ability to return strong.
For now, the focus is on character. When the lights are bright and the trophy is on the line, playing hard is easy. Playing with intensity when you have been eliminated reveals the true heart of a roster. Reid wants to see who fights through the finish line.
The Chiefs are wounded and out of the race, but they are not closing up shop. The next three weeks are about pride, evaluation and setting the standard for the guys who will be back to reclaim everything they missed out on this year.
