Chiefs star Travis Kelce begins his farewell tour, and Bo Nix joins elite company in Broncos history headline AFC West hot takes
The AFC West has long been regarded as one of the top divisions in the NFL. From the Kansas City Chiefs' recent dominance, to the steady presence of the Los Angeles Chargers, and young up and coming talent on the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders. Two of our writers here at A to Z Sports, […]
The AFC West has long been regarded as one of the top divisions in the NFL. From the Kansas City Chiefs' recent dominance, to the steady presence of the Los Angeles Chargers, and young up and coming talent on the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders.
Two of our writers here at A to Z Sports, Destin Adams and Kyle Crabbs, took a close look at each of these teams and came away with some blazing hot takes. Let's see what they had to say and see if they even agree with each other.
AFC West Hot Takes
Denver Broncos
Hot Take: Bo Nix posts a top-5 all-time Denver Broncos passing yardage season in 2025
Peyton Manning. John Elway. Smokin' Jay Cutler. The Broncos have had some all-time slingers of the football. But in the grand scheme of single-season passing yard performances, I'm ready to project Bo Nix into the top-5. Manning holds the three best single-season marks, logging at least 4,569 yards or better from 2012-2014. Jay Cutler's 2008 season is the only other single season to surpass 4,100 yards (4,526), and Jake "The Snake" Plummer ranks 5th with 4,089 in 2004.
Give me over 4,089 for Bo Nix in 2025 after he logged 3,775 passing yards as a rookie last season. The improvements to the weaponry should give Sean Payton the needed firepower to kick Denver's passing attack up a notch, and Nix now has a year of NFL seasoning under his belt. I like the mix. – Kyle Crabbs
Buying or out on this take: I'm buying this take
The biggest shock to me when I was researching whether to buy this take was that John Elway does not have a top-five passing yards season in Broncos history. Just tells you how much the game has changed over time. While the take sounds like it would be an incredible feat for Nix, it would only take a slight improvement from his rookie year. Nix only needs to add 314 yards to his total from 2024. He will be more comfortable at the NFL level and in Sean Payton's offense. And Payton will likely have more trust in his QB, which will lead to him opening up more of the playbook. – Destin Adams
Kansas City Chiefs
Hot Take: Travis Kelce retires after this season, whether the Chiefs win the Super Bowl or not
It's always sad to see legends retire and move on to life after their NFL careers. Travis Kelce has been one of the most constant forces in the NFL for the majority of his career. After missing nearly all of his rookie season, he has recorded at least 800 yards in every season he's been in the league. His worst statistical season as a pro (outside of his rookie year, when he appeared in only one game) actually occurred last year, with him setting career lows in both yards (823) and receiving touchdowns (three). There are already rumors out there that Kelce seriously considered retiring last year, so it doesn't seem far-fetched at all that this could be his last ride. And if he shows even more regression on the field this season, I think the competitor in him will be ready to hang the cleats up and start focusing full time on him and his brothers' very successful podcast "New Heights." – Destin Adams
Buying or out on this take: Buying
Kelce's transition away from football feels inevitable. Reports indicate he's cut weight for 2025, which may make his decision interesting, but he sorely needed a change. Kelce looked like a shell of himself in 2024 and was lacking juice in a big way. He'll be 36 years old, he's in a contract year, hell — he's dating arguably the most famous woman on the planet, is already the highest-paid tight end in NFL history (he'll finish at $111.1 million after 2025), and has three Super Bowl rings. What the heck should he come back for?!
Kelce is third all-time in both tight end receptions and receiving yards, but would need to play multiple seasons at a high level for a chance to chase down Tony Gonzalez. That appears to be off the table, so I agree that this is going to be it.- Kyle Crabbs
Las Vegas Raiders
Hot Take: The Raiders defense finishes last in points allowed in 2025
I'm sorry. I just can't find the excitement I need with this back-seven in the AFC West. Maxx Crosby has more riding on his plate in 2025 than any defender in football, with maybe Trey Hendrickson being the only other player in his stratosphere. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins has been in and out of a walking boot this offseason after missing more than three-quarters of the snaps last year. Malcolm Koonce is also coming back from a major injury. They've completely remade the linebacker room with summer cut Germaine Pratt and two downhill hammers in Devin White and Elandon Roberts. Eric Stokes and Darien Porter join Jakorian Bennett at cornerback, and the Raiders signed Jeremy Chinn at safety, who only showed signs of living up to his potential after joining Dan Quinn in 2024.
Outgoing talent on defense? TreVon Moehrig is gone. So, too, are Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs at cornerback. Robert Spillane is off to New England, and Devine Deablo left for Atlanta. The Raiders' defense wasn't good last year, but are they even as talented this year as they were last? I'm not sure that they are. And that's before you even factor in the AFC West, with two top-12 scoring offenses from 2024…plus the Chiefs.- Kyle Crabbs
Buying or out on this take: I'm shocked that I'm buying this take
Usually, I'm someone who, when my options are between one team/player and the field, I'll take the field. However, the Raiders' defense, outside of Maxx Crosby, lacks game-changing talent. Their next best player is Christian Wilkins, who was only able to suit up for five games last season. The biggest concern on their roster is their secondary, which has glaring holes all over the place. And in a division where you have to face QBs Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, your secondary needs to come ready, or a game can get away from you fast. Unfortunately, for the Raiders, they may have the worst CB room on paper in the NFL entering 2025, with Eric Stokes and Darien Porten expected to start on the outside, with Darnay Holmes in the slot. – Destin Adams
Los Angeles Chargers
Hot Take: Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton combine for over 1,800 rushing yards in 2025
The Chargers elected to give their RB room a complete makeover this offseason. They are going from JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards leading their rushing attack to Najee Harris and their 2025 first-round pick, Omarion Hampton. Dobbins and Edwards combined for over 1,200 yards on the ground together last season, but I think the expectations are much higher for Harris and Hampton. Harris has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons in the NFL, and the last two years, he has even done so with a solid running mate also being in the fold. I think Harris will lead the team in carries, with Hampton being mixed into their game plan more and more as the year goes on. We all know Jim Harbaugh is gonna want the run game to be the engine of his offense, and with an elite offensive line in place, the sky is the limit for their rushing attack. – Destin Adams
Buying or out on this take: Have you seen this offensive line? I'm buying this take
I can't say I think the Chargers are going to have the most efficient per-carry rushing offense in football. That title will likely, once again, go to the explosive Baltimore Ravens' unit. But between Slater, Alt, Becton, Johnson, and Bozeman, this group has the punch up front to create some massive lanes in the run game. I'm buying this take on the condition that Hampton gets at least a 60% workload, though. He's a much more dynamic runner than Najee is, who I would expect will get his open air yards and a few yards after to fall through contact. Feed Hampton, and I think this duo hits the 1,800 mark combined. – Kyle Crabbs