The Kansas City Chiefs are facing a tough season in 2025-26. With a 6-7 record after a loss to the Houston Texans, their chances of making the playoffs are slim—something that feels almost unthinkable for a franchise that has dominated the Patrick Mahomes era.
The pressure is mounting on everyone, including head coach Andy Reid and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With such a disappointing season, there’s a lot of work to be done if the Chiefs are to return to their former glory. The question on many minds: What does the future hold for Andy Reid?
Reid’s Impact and Potential Retirement
Andy Reid has been the cornerstone of the Chiefs since taking over as head coach in January 2013. Over the last decade-plus, he has turned the franchise around, leading them to multiple championships and molding Mahomes into an MVP-caliber quarterback. But now, with the Chiefs struggling in 2025-26, questions about Reid’s future have resurfaced.
In a recent article from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, the potential for Reid’s retirement is discussed. Though Reid, who will turn 68 next spring, has faced retirement rumors before, the piece suggests that he may be determined to push through this tough season rather than leave on a low note.
“Reid’s contract extension suggests he’s not planning on retiring anytime soon, especially with this difficult season hanging over him,” Graziano writes. It seems that Reid is more motivated than ever to turn things around and end his tenure with the Chiefs on a high note, rather than bowing out on one of his worst seasons.
The Chiefs’ Must-Win Game Against the Chargers
The Chiefs now face a critical showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 14. With only a 13% chance of making the postseason, Kansas City needs to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. If they manage to secure the victory, their chances rise to 19%, but if they lose, their postseason dreams will be all but over.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Chiefs—if they lose to the Chargers, their playoff chances drop to less than 1%. It’s a make-or-break moment for a team that’s been a perennial Super Bowl contender in recent years but now finds itself fighting just to stay relevant in the playoff race.
A number of other NFL teams, including the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Rams, are already almost certain to make the playoffs, further highlighting the Chiefs’ uphill battle. With Week 15’s games looming, time is running out for Kansas City to turn things around.
