ESPN NFL analyst attributes two key factors to the Chiefs’ offensive turnaround in 2025
These things can’t be measured.
The Kansas City Chiefs had a breakout performance on offense in Week 4 against the Baltimore Ravens, and the unit has been humming ever since.
Kansas City has averaged 31.5 points per game during that span. Despite a rough first three weeks of the season, it ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per game, and first during the last four weeks.
There are many factors that can be attributed to the Chiefs’ turnaround on offense. Wide receivers Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown are all finally healthy at the same time, and the offensive has drastically improved from last year. Beyond that, however, are two more reasons — which can’t be measured by statistics.
ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky details Chiefs’ offensive improvement in 2025
“Conviction and trust,” Orlovsky said of Kansas City’s offense while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show. “Those are two words that (quarterback) Patrick (Mahomes), (coach) Andy Reid, and (offensive coordinator) Matt Nagy just did not have a lot of last year, rightfully so. The conviction to believe in the protection and the people around them.
“You see the ball distribution, I think they had nine or 10 dudes catch passes (in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders). If you just watch the creative plays. that tells me Andy Reid and Matt Nagy trust those people on the field, because we weren’t seeing it over the last year, up until three weeks ago. They’re back to some of the motion stuff. They’re back to creating some one-on-ones for perimeter players.
“We’re seeing more plays where Patrick is not leaving the pocket too soon. They’re just giving him the opportunity say, does the initial read break? Get it out of your hands. If not, Patrick, go make some special plays, and it’s not out of a running for your life necessity. That’s a big difference than last year. I probably undervalued the impact of Worthy and Rice in their offense. Having those two guys back gives Mahomes trust from everybody in that offense.”
Before the offense gelled together, the Chiefs were over-reliant on Mahomes creating something out of nothing. Mahomes was gun-shy throwing the ball last season because his pass catchers weren’t getting separation.
He was also hesitant to hang in the pocket for too long because the offensive line couldn’t hold up. Mahomes now has great chemistry with multiple different receivers. He’s always going to scramble around a bit because it’s a big part of his game, but has more room to operate with since the pocket isn’t collapsing so quickly.
This has allowed the coaching staff to open up the entire playbook and become more unpredictable with play calling. As long as the unit remains healthy, K.C.’s offense should remain among the best in the league throughout the rest of the season.
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