The Kansas City Chiefs, a team we’ve watched dominate for years, are now facing something totally wild: outright dismissal from serious football minds. Connor Orr, a guy known for thoughtful takes, didn’t even put them on his list of 14 Super Bowl contenders for the upcoming season. Let that sink in for a second: he identified nearly half the league as legitimate title contenders, and the Chiefs weren’t among them. This isn’t just doubt; it’s a full-blown dismissal.
From Dynasty to Doubt: What Went Wrong?
For so long, picking Kansas City to win it all felt like the boring choice. They were the dynasty everyone was trying to knock off, and it felt like every bit of doubt just fueled their dominance, much like those old Patriots teams under Belichick and Brady. Now, the tables have flipped, and Chiefs fans might be feeling what those obnoxious Patriots fans felt for two decades. Why the sudden shift? Well, the Chiefs didn’t exactly quiet any critics with a brutal 6-11 performance last season. Plus, an offseason that saw several key pieces depart means skepticism is natural. But the *level* of this skepticism? It’s genuinely surprising.
The Experts Are Speaking, And It’s Ugly
Orr’s explanation for leaving the Chiefs off his list highlights a feeling that the league is way more wide open now than it used to be. He admits Patrick Mahomes is still one of the two best quarterbacks in the NFL, and they might even win 11 or 12 games this season. But he just doesn’t see how they can replace the losses of Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie. On top of that, they’re running back essentially the same offensive line for another year, and the team’s “most significant offensive upgrade” was at the running back spot. He specifically called out the addition of Kenneth Walker III, saying it isn’t going to “simply change the complexion of Kansas City’s offense,” recalling a failed attempt to create a more diverse, downhill running scheme under Eric Bieniemy to protect Mahomes. Orr isn’t alone either. Frank Schwab, another analyst you have to respect, ranked the Chiefs as just the 12th-best team in his offseason power rankings. Putting the Chiefs at No. 12? That’s uncomfortable for sure.
This has become one of the defining themes of the offseason. Can the Chiefs defy this kind of widespread dismissal, or is this the beginning of the end for their run at the top? It’s going to be a wild season to watch this unfold, and every single game will be a test of their true standing.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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