The Kansas City Chiefs are a team built for dominance, but even the strongest dynasties can face challenges that shake their foundations. With the 2025 season underway, Chiefs fans are witnessing some unsettling developments that are threatening to derail their championship aspirations. While the window for greatness remains open, the Chiefs are facing pressing internal issues that need to be addressed if they hope to return to the Super Bowl.

For years, Kansas City has been known for its explosive offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, but this season has revealed fundamental cracks in the Chiefs’ structure, particularly in their offensive game plan. Despite boasting one of the most lethal passing attacks in the NFL, the Chiefs’ running game has become a glaring weakness that is putting an unsustainable strain on Mahomes and making them vulnerable to opposing defenses.

The Rushing Attack Breakdown

Through the first weeks of the 2025 season, the Chiefs’ rushing attack has been virtually nonexistent. In fact, Mahomes himself leads the team in rushing yards with 123—a statistic that shows just how severe the situation has become. These aren’t designed quarterback runs, but rather scrambling plays born out of necessity as the pocket breaks down and no credible ground threat exists to keep defenses from stacking the box.

The lack of a consistent rushing attack has forced Mahomes to do it all, and opposing defenses are taking full advantage. With the passing game often being smothered by stacked coverage, Mahomes is left to carry the entire offensive load. Coach Andy Reid has expressed concern over the long-term implications of this, especially as Mahomes takes unnecessary hits that could lead to injury. The Chiefs’ offense, currently averaging just 19 points per game, isn’t sustainable at this rate. For Kansas City to continue its Super Bowl aspirations, they must find a solution to their rushing woes.

Jerome Ford: A Potential Solution?

Enter Jerome Ford, a name that has recently surfaced in trade discussions as a potential solution for the Chiefs’ ground game struggles. The third-year running back from the Cleveland Browns has been a reliable contributor, accumulating 1,429 rushing yards and seven touchdowns over his career. In the 2024 season, Ford posted 813 yards and four touchdowns, demonstrating his breakaway speed and ability to make explosive plays. His skill set is exactly what the Chiefs need: a legitimate rushing threat who can take some pressure off Mahomes and balance the offense.

The timing for a trade couldn’t be better. The Browns, having drafted rookie Quinn Shawn Judkins, have seen Ford’s role diminished significantly. After a stellar 2024 season, Ford has been relegated to just eight carries for 18 yards in the first two games of the 2025 season, a performance that suggests his role in Cleveland’s offense is limited. With Cleveland’s crowded depth chart and Ford’s expiring contract, the Browns may be motivated to move him now rather than risk losing him in free agency after this season.

For the Chiefs, acquiring Ford could provide an immediate upgrade in their rushing attack. His consistency over the past two seasons, with over 500 yards each year, would give Kansas City the ability to control the clock and set up play-action opportunities. With Mahomes being forced to scramble so often, Ford’s addition could relieve some of that pressure and help keep defenses on their toes.

Salary Cap Pressures and Contract Considerations

The Chiefs’ front office is well aware of the challenges they face, especially with salary cap constraints. Currently, Kansas City is about $1 million over the cap for the 2025 season, and they must find ways to make strategic roster adjustments. One avenue that could provide financial flexibility is the potential retirement or contract restructuring of Travis Kelce.

Should Kelce choose to retire, the Chiefs would free up $17.25 million in cap space. Alternatively, a restructure or extension could give the Chiefs about $12.79 million in additional room. This would allow the team to acquire Ford and address other roster concerns while retaining their championship-caliber talent.

Mahomes’ $66.25 million cap hit is the largest factor in the Chiefs’ financial equation. However, the team could restructure Mahomes’ contract, converting part of his salary into a signing bonus and spreading it across future years. This would create $38.99 million in cap relief and could allow the Chiefs to address their current needs while still maintaining future flexibility.

Defensive Line Depth: Another Priority

While the Chiefs’ offense is currently underperforming, their defense has been a relative bright spot. However, even the defensive unit has its issues. The interior of their defensive line is a concern, with inconsistent play and the surprising release of Mike Pennel adding to their depth issues. The team could explore acquiring Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Mazy Smith, a former first-round pick who has failed to meet expectations in Dallas. With the Cowboys seemingly ready to move on from Smith, the Chiefs could make a low-cost acquisition and attempt to develop him into a valuable contributor.

Smith’s youth and potential make him an intriguing option for a team that has a history of rehabilitating players with untapped potential. While his early career has been underwhelming, the Chiefs could take a chance on him and help him reach his potential, providing much-needed depth on the defensive line.

Travis Kelce’s Decline and Tight End Concerns

As if the issues on offense weren’t enough, Travis Kelce’s performance has raised concerns. The future Hall of Famer, who has been a consistent threat for the Chiefs over the years, is showing signs of decline. Age-related regression is affecting his ability to separate and make plays, creating a ripple effect throughout the Chiefs’ passing attack. The once-reliable connection between Mahomes and Kelce is now struggling to generate the same level of production, and the Chiefs are beginning to have uncomfortable conversations about succession planning.

In response, Kansas City could look to bolster their tight end position, with Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears emerging as a potential trade target. Kmet, a reliable receiving threat with over 7,000 career yards and 19 touchdowns, could provide the Chiefs with a much-needed boost at tight end. With the Bears investing in rookie tight end Cole Kmet, the Chiefs could acquire him to help with their immediate needs and begin the process of transitioning away from Kelce’s waning production.

The Bottom Line: Bold Decisions Ahead

Kansas City is at a crossroads, and bold decisions are needed if they want to maintain their championship trajectory. The Chiefs are considering a trade for Jerome Ford to fix their running game and could explore a move for Cole Kmet to address tight end concerns. However, they must also navigate salary cap pressures and make difficult roster decisions in the coming months. It’s clear that the Chiefs are committed to winning now, but their ability to balance short-term needs with long-term success will determine whether they can continue their reign as one of the NFL’s elite teams.

As fans continue to watch closely, the Chiefs’ front office is working behind the scenes to make the moves necessary to keep the team in contention for another Super Bowl. The decisions made in the coming weeks could define the next chapter of this storied franchise.