Chiefs' offseason path could lead to AFC nightmare originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The NFL world was shocked last season as the Kansas City Chiefs stumbled for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, finishing 6-11 and missing the playoffs.
That was jarring.
But after being up for so long, eventually the Chiefs would come back down to earth. However, this offseason, the Chiefs have done some great business.
They've signed players at key positions (Kenneth Walker) and traded away some key players, but big draft capital in return (now have two first-round picks).
And because of all of that, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell thinks the Chiefs could be back at the Super Bowl table rather quickly, due to the haul the franchise got for trading Trent McDuffie.
"The last time the Chiefs got a return like that, when they traded away wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, it helped restock the roster for two more Super Bowl titles. They also added Fields as backup insurance for Patrick Mahomes," Podell wrote.
"The defense will be full of fresh faces with McDuffie, Watson, Williams, Cook and Chenal in other places. However, if they hit their two first-round picks out of the park in the coming draft, the Chiefs would return to true contention status in a hurry."
More: 1 stunning Kenneth Walker stat proves Chiefs set to transform in 2026
Chiefs bounce back horror AFC scenario
The Chiefs had been the AFC's apex predator since Mahomes was the starter, making at least the AFC Championship game every year. But last season, the Chiefs finally let others play.
It was a chance for someone else to win.
But now, after their free agency approach, the thought that the Chiefs could be set for another "down" year might have to be put on the back burner.
The AFC got one season where Mahomes wasn't casting a huge shadow over the entire conference.
And as it turns out, a one-year reprieve might be all the AFC gets.
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