ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit isn’t letting one narrative about the Kansas City Chiefs fool him anytime soon
The Kansas City Chiefs are not a team that looks ready to rebuild anytime soon, and Kirk Herbstreit isn’t being fooled.
2025 did not go as anyone had planned for the Kansas City Chiefs. In everyone’s head within the fan base and even some media, it was supposed to be similar to what happened after the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. The next year, they went on to win and return to the AFC Championship Game. However, this time they didn’t even make the playoffs.
Now, just like fans of opposing teams have done so many times, everyone is counting out the Chiefs. Then again, they did finish last season as one of the worst teams in football. But some expect that to be very similar this season. The smart ones aren’t buying it.
“I’m excited about Kansas City,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. “I think it’s almost as if people have maybe felt that that’s the end, you know, because of the injury to Mahomes. Because of some of the losses they’ve had.
“You know, it’s time for Kansas City’s story to be over. And obviously, I don’t think it is. Anytime you question Patrick Mahomes, he’s gonna come out swinging. Um, and I kind of like how it’s right now with where Kansas City [is].”
The Chiefs have retooled, not rebuilt, and they are ready to get back to where they belong.
Chiefs have the pieces to remain a contender in 2026, but there are some glaring holes
The Chiefs fixed some of their pass-rush issues. Some of them, that is. They drafted Peter Woods, who didn’t have a great 2025 season on the interior but was amazing on the edge in 2024. Then they drafted R Mason Thomas, a fast, twitchy pass rusher who will surprise a ton of people.
They also addressed their secondary. The Chiefs drafted the best CB in the 2026 NFL Draft in Mansoor Delane. They then drafted Jadon Canady to play in the slot. This can still be a major mystery that turns into an issue, though. This secondary is extremely young.
They didn’t address the wide receiver room like they maybe should have, either. If Rashee Rice gets hurt or is in trouble, the Chiefs could be screwed there. Then again, they did, hopefully, fix the run game by adding Kenneth Walker. So, this team can be where they were two years ago. But there’s a lot of work to be done.