The Kansas City Chiefs are in the offseason, and even though they didn’t make it to the postseason during the 2025-26 run, they still had good games, and players such as Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes broke records.
For Kelce, he wrapped up the 2025 NFL season with 76 receptions, 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 17 games, according to NFL research, solid numbers, especially for a tight end of his age of 36.
So, even without a trip to the big game, the Kansas City Chiefs have plenty to be proud of as the offseason gets underway. The team is looking to the future, and they officially named Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator for the 2026-27 season on Friday, January 23.
The move marks Bieniemy’s second stint as Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive leader after being there for five seasons from 2018 through 2022, where the Chiefs led the NFL in average points-per-game at 30.1, total touchdowns at 296 and total yards-per-game at 406.2, according to Chiefs research.
So, the future is bright, but it would be nice for the Chiefs to be recognized for what went right during the 2025-26 season. Now, Kelce, Mahomes and the rest of the team is getting a bit disrespected and snubbed in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs Disrespected in NFL Honor
On Thursday, January 22, the NFL and Associated Press announced the finalists for their annual honors for the 2025 NFL season. They’ll announce the final winners at NFL Honors on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.
Now, the Kansas City Chiefs had a rough year, but it was unexpected to not see any Chiefs on the tally at all. They were totally snubbed for the awards this season.
Those up for the biggest award, MVP, include Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Drake Maye of the New England Patriots, Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
A New Project for Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Brother Jason
But, life isn’t just about football, and on the Wednesday, January 14, episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Travis and his brother Jason announced that they’re releasing their first book together, called “No Dumb Questions: And All of Our Dumbest Answers.” The book is inspired by their popular podcast and its segment called “No Dumb Questions,” where the two respond to fan submissions.
“When we started the ‘No Dumb Questions’ segment on New Heights, never in our wildest dreams did we think it would become a book sitting on your coffee table,” the brothers said about the project via People. “But we’ve had a blast with it, and we’re stoked the 92%ers can take home a little piece of the podcast, including some that were too ridiculous to make it on the show.”
Kelce and his brother also said they’re “still trying to wrap their heads around being able to call ourselves published authors.”
So, Kelce can now add “author” to the tally of things that he’s accomplished in 36 years. Now, as his retirement decision looms, he has one more project on his plate.
Under Pressure: Stidham’s Shot at Rewriting History and Leading the Broncos to the Super Bowl
The AFC Championship Game is never short of drama, but this year’s matchup is set to be nothing short of a spectacle. The Denver Broncos, led by backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, find themselves on the verge of a Super Bowl berth—an unexpected turn of events that no one saw coming. Stidham, who was never meant to be the team’s leader, now faces the biggest challenge of his career: taking down the New England Patriots and rookie sensation Drake Maye.
For the Broncos, the stakes have never been higher. The once-dominant franchise has been in a steady decline in recent seasons, but the arrival of head coach Sean Payton brought new hope. However, with starting quarterback Bo Nix sidelined due to injury, it’s Stidham who has been thrust into the limelight. Few expected him to make it this far, but now, he stands on the precipice of rewriting Broncos history.
Stidham’s Unlikely Journey
Stidham, drafted by the Patriots in 2019, was seen as a reliable backup—a player who could step in during a pinch but wasn’t expected to lead a franchise. But the unpredictable nature of the NFL has a way of surprising even the most seasoned veterans. Stidham’s calm demeanor and impressive skill set have allowed him to navigate through the pressure and put together a solid campaign for Denver. Now, he has an opportunity to prove himself on the grandest stage.
The task ahead of Stidham is monumental. He’s not just facing any team; he’s going up against the Patriots, coached by the legendary Bill Belichick. On the other side, rookie quarterback Drake Maye, who has taken the league by storm, will be looking to solidify his position as one of the future stars of the NFL. Maye has already proven himself to be a game-changer, but it’s Stidham’s leadership that will define this clash of titans.
The Battle for the Future
Should Stidham lead the Broncos to victory, it would be more than just a playoff win. It would signal the arrival of a new era in Denver, one where the future is built on the unlikeliest of quarterbacks. A victory over Maye and the Patriots could shift the trajectory of the franchise, giving them the momentum to push toward a Super Bowl appearance and possibly even the coveted championship.
The Broncos have been searching for their next great quarterback ever since the departure of Peyton Manning. Stidham, despite the odds, has a chance to be the one to guide them back to greatness. His performance in the AFC Championship could very well go down in history as one of the greatest underdog stories in NFL lore.
Pressure Builds, But Stidham is Ready
The pressure is undoubtedly on. Stidham’s performance could define his entire career, and the entire Broncos organization is watching him closely. His ability to stay composed under pressure will be the key to taking down a Patriots team that is known for its resilience and its relentless pursuit of victory.
Stidham has one shot at greatness, and his chance to rewrite history is now.
