Kansas City Chiefs NEED to Know: 2025 NFL Season Preview — PFF Breaks Down What’s Next for the Champs!

As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the 2025 NFL season, expectations are higher than ever. Coming off a Super Bowl win and with a roster stacked with talent, the Chiefs are once again poised to dominate the league. But despite their success, there are key storylines, questions, and potential challenges that will define their season. Whether it’s the health of key players, the evolution of their offense, or the development of their defense, there’s a lot to keep an eye on.

In this PFF (Pro Football Focus) preview, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick break down everything Chiefs fans need to know heading into the 2025 season. Let’s dive into the most important storylines, key players, and potential challenges that could make or break Kansas City’s journey this year.

The Offense: As Dynamic As Ever, But Still Evolving

One thing that’s been a constant with the Chiefs is their high-powered offense, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Since Mahomes took the reins, the Chiefs offense has been one of the most electrifying units in the NFL. With his ability to throw from almost any angle, his deep ball precision, and his incredible playmaking ability, Mahomes has solidified himself as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.

However, even with Mahomes’ brilliance, the offense will face its fair share of challenges in 2025. The Chiefs’ receiving corps is always a topic of conversation, especially as the team moves forward without legendary wide receiver Tyreek Hill. While they’ve added players like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore, the offense still needs more consistency from its wideouts to complement Mahomes.

Key Focus: The growth of second-year wide receiver Skyy Moore will be vital to their success. Can he step up as a true No. 2 option alongside JuJu Smith-Schuster? If Moore can emerge as a reliable target, it could take the offense to the next level.

Additionally, the Chiefs’ offensive line—while strong—will need to maintain its dominance. Despite a solid 2024 season, keeping Mahomes protected remains a priority, especially as defensive lines across the league get more disruptive. With the addition of new faces and continued development, the Chiefs need their offensive line to perform at the highest level.

The Running Back Situation: Is There a Clear No. 1?

Another area of interest for the Chiefs is their running back room. While the Chiefs have had a by-committee approach in recent seasons, it’s unclear who will take the lead in 2025. Is Clyde Edwards-Helaire going to emerge as the featured back, or will newcomers like rookie Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon prove to be the game-changers?

The Chiefs’ rushing attack is often overshadowed by their passing game, but with defenses focusing more on Mahomes’ arm, a strong, balanced ground game will be crucial to keeping teams on their heels. In particular, Pacheco has shown flashes of greatness, and the team will likely lean on him to shoulder the bulk of the carries moving forward.

Key Focus: Who steps up as the clear No. 1 back? The Chiefs need a running back who can be effective in both short-yardage situations and in the passing game, helping to take some pressure off Mahomes and add another dimension to their offense.

Defense: The X-Factor for the Chiefs’ Championship Hopes

While Kansas City’s offense gets most of the headlines, their defense has quietly been a strength, especially in recent years. In 2025, the defense will need to continue its upward trajectory. After some struggles in previous seasons, the defense has improved, but there are still some areas of concern that could determine the team’s overall success.

One of the key defensive players to watch will be linebacker Nick Bolton, who has become one of the leaders of this defense. Bolton’s ability to stop the run and cover in the passing game is pivotal for the Chiefs to limit opposing offenses. Additionally, the Chiefs will rely on defensive linemen like Chris Jones to disrupt quarterbacks and create pressure. The pass rush will be critical in taking down some of the high-powered offenses the Chiefs will face, such as the Buffalo Bills or Cincinnati Bengals.

Key Focus: The cornerback position continues to be a question mark for the Chiefs. With a defense that can get after the quarterback but struggles at times in the secondary, can rookie cornerbacks or other young players step up to make this defense a truly elite unit?

The ability to get turnovers and prevent big plays in the passing game will be crucial, especially with some high-profile quarterbacks coming into the season with explosive offenses. If the defense can take that next step, Kansas City could have a complete team that’s capable of winning it all.

Coaching: A Stronghold with Andy Reid

No preview of the Kansas City Chiefs would be complete without recognizing the leadership of head coach Andy Reid. As one of the most successful and respected coaches in the NFL, Reid has built a dynasty in Kansas City, with a Super Bowl win and multiple playoff appearances. In 2025, Reid’s leadership will be more important than ever, as he balances keeping the offense high-flying while continuing to improve the defense.

Reid is known for his adaptability and creativity in designing offensive schemes, but the question remains: Can he bring a championship-caliber defense to Kansas City to complement his dynamic offense? With defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo leading the defense, Reid’s ability to manage the team’s growth, especially as they transition through new phases, will be key.

Key Focus: How will Reid and his staff adjust throughout the season? Can they bring the necessary adjustments when the Chiefs face adversity in key matchups?

The Chiefs’ 2025 Season Outlook

As we head into the 2025 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs have all the pieces in place to be one of the top contenders in the league. With Mahomes leading the offense, a solid defense, and an experienced coaching staff, the Chiefs have everything they need to continue their dominance. However, there are still questions that must be answered, particularly regarding the wide receiver corps and the consistency of the defense.

The big question for the Chiefs this season is whether they can maintain their Super Bowl-caliber play while continuing to improve in key areas. Will the offense continue to evolve, and will the defense take the next step toward becoming one of the league’s elite units? These are questions that will unfold over the course of the season, but one thing is certain: With Patrick Mahomes under center, the Chiefs will always be a threat to take it all.