Chiefs Might Make Big Splash by Trading Up - But Should They?

Multiples sources have now projected the Kansas City Chiefs to trade up to get Arvell Reese tonight in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Several teams with a pick ahead of KC's first at #9 overall would presumably choose Reese, so KC would need to offer a trade package including the #9 and #29 picks and maybe more to get in the right spot. Reese is a versatile, explosive 6'4 edge rusher who many analysts compare to Micah Parsons. His floor, according to analysts, is starting impact edge rusher, and his ceiling is consistent candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. So, how likely is it that we see the Chiefs trade up for this generational talent, and would it be the right move?

I think it's highly possible based on how Chiefs general manager Brett Veach typically uses the NFL draft. Veach wants to make a can't-miss choice at a premium position with what everyone cheering for the Chiefs hopes is the highest draft position of the Patrick Mahomes era. Adding talent to the secondary, the pass rush and the wide receiver room are the Chiefs' biggest priorities right now, and Veach loves turning later-round picks into safeties and cornerbacks that develop into legit starters in the NFL. When the team has numerous other positions of need, it makes sense to utilize this strength and spend that valuable draft pick elsewhere. Also, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is considered the most can't-miss secondary prospect in this year's draft, and spending a top-ten draft pick on one of the league's lowest-paid positions when there are other issues to address would seem unwise.

Rushing the passer is one of those issues, and after stud pass rusher David Bailey goes as many expected at the #2 spot to the New York Jets (or only slightly later if those reported indications were false), the next EDGE off the board is expected to be Rueben Bain Jr. Despite a strong pedigree in nearly every other facet of the game, his historically short arms have become a hotly contested talking point across the internet's vast and sometimes silly landscape. Problem or not, it could be enough to make Veach and his staff lean away from Bain Jr. at the #9 spot of this draft. Wide receiver is another position where the Chiefs need help, and Jordyn Tyson is expected to be within range of the ninth overall pick. A combination of injury concerns and a high volume of high-ceiling receivers in the latter end of the first round could make the Chiefs hesitant about picking Tyson so early.

Potential flaws in the philosophy of drafting practically anyone at #9 lends credence to the idea of trading up for Reese. Veach has done more research and pondered every what-if far more deeply than I've done here, so he knows every risk with every player they could potentially choose at #9. If I can think up a viable reason for why not to draft each of the guys they could target in that spot, Veach has already thoroughly done the same. Other teams and scenarios may stop the Chiefs for trading up for Reese, and if they do, I can see Kansas City trading down to get more draft capital out of more desperate teams. However, if the opportunity presents itself, I'd love to see the Chiefs be bold and trade up for Reese in order to add genuine greatness to their defense for years and years to come.

Bringing Back Bienemy - Was It Wise?

Changes came quickly after the Kansas City Chiefs finished their season with a 6-11 record and a noticeable decline in productivity by the offense. Former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy parted ways with the team, and KC reunited with other former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. I already looked at Nagy and Bieniemy's relative effects on the Chiefs' offenses throughout the years just weeks ago. Now, Bieniemy is back, but where has he been, and what does it mean for the Chiefs' future?

Chiefs Kingdom wasn't alone in noticing Eric Bieniemy's success as the OC under Andy Reid from 2018-2022. It led to Eric taking a job as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. While there, he and head coach Ron Rivera were unable to get a Sam Howell-led offense over the hump despite marginal statistical improvement. Washington let both coaches go after a single season, and Bieniemy took a job - again as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator - with the UCLA Bruins. This was his first return of sorts, as his success with UCLA as their running backs coach from '01-'05 preceded his first NFL coaching job.

Bieniemy's brief stint in UCLA went poorly, and in '25 he joined the Chicago Bears as the running backs coach. Here, he found his stride again and helped Chicago become the third-most-productive rushing attack in football. Bieniemy excelled this season at helping first-year head coach Ben Johnson maximize productivity from Bears running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. As told by Ron Kopp Jr. over at Arrowhead Pride, 7th-round pick Monangai's 783 rushing yards would've led KC in rushing over either of the last two seasons despite the rookie being second on his own team this year. Recreating this success in Kansas City could be key to getting this Chiefs dynasty back on track.

Both of KC's leading rushers from last season are unrestricted free agents. Bieniemy just led the Bears' latest 7th-round draft pick to be more productive than any Chiefs running back since 2023. KC will also be drafting ninth overall - their earliest draft pick since picking first overall in 2013. Mel Kiper Jr. likes KC drafting Notre Dame's stud running back Jeremiyah Love with that pick. Many mock drafts have him landing right around that #9 spot. With or without spending that huge draft pick on a running back, I'm predicting that Bieniemy's return makes a big, positive difference for the Chiefs' future.

It's possible that Monangai and Ben Johnson are just a great combo that helped Bieniemy look good in his role in Chicago. However, Chiefs Kingdom lived through the jarring and obvious influence Eric makes. To finish in the top six in the NFL in points and yards per game in each of his five seasons as the offensive coordinator is no accident. I'd be scared about drafting virtually any running back in the top ten, so I'd prefer to see Bieniemy find his next Monangai later in the draft. He's clearly proven that as a trustworthy strategy. Either way, Chiefs Kingdom will remember Eric's return as a big step in the right direction.

How Third Down Doomed KC in 2025

I didn't think 6-11 was on the board for the Kansas City Chiefs this year. What went wrong? Actually, a quick look through the season stats indicates that they kinda got worse at everything. In the regular season prior to the one that just concluded, KC had an average offense and a really good, possibly great, defense. The 2024 Chiefs also had a +6 turnover differential. In 2025, the Chiefs defense was diminished but still strong, their turnover differential dropped to -1, and flaws on offense ultimately prevented them from achieving sustained success.

The Chiefs defense finished 10th in yards allowed per game and 6th in points, after ranking 9th in yards and 4th in points last year. They stayed strong despite finishing 2025 with the fourth-fewest sacks of any team in the league. Kansas City also allowed the fourth-highest third down conversion rate in the NFL. They struggled with this in 2024 also, however, so none of this can be the primary reason for coming short this season. The sad truth revolves around the regression of KC's offense.

Over their three straight seasons of reaching the Super Bowl, the Chiefs ranked third, sixth and second in the league in third down conversion. This season, they ranked 22nd. This helped turn an offense that ranked 16th and 15th in yards and points per game in '24 into the offense that finished 2025 at 20th and 21st in yards and points. Ranking 22nd or lower in both third downs converted and opponent's third downs converted is a lack of success experienced only by the Chiefs and two other teams this season.

Fans could feel it when they watched this season, too. It was a gut-punch every time the team looked good for lengthy periods of time, only to make it all futile by allowing a long third down conversion or failing to convert a dang 3rd and 2. If change is what the Chiefs offense needs, that's good, because change is coming. Former offensive coordinator Matt Nagy is not expected to return, and the rumor mill about his replacement is already in full gear. That means I'll be returning when we get more news to share my thoughts on it all while the playoffs go on without us. Enjoy it all Chiefs Kingdom, and I'll be back soon.

Chiefs' Stinker Season Reaches Clunky Conclusion

One of the most disappointing seasons in Kansas City Chiefs history comes to a fittingly dreary conclusion today when the Chiefs face the hapless Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs are already locked into their worst record since 2012, when Romeo Crennel and Matt Cassel led the way to a 2-14 season. Watching Patrick Mahomes writhing around and clutching his knee in that Colts game will unfortunately live with me forever. Even with Mahomes on the field, Kansas City simply wasn't a playoff-caliber team in 2025. After ten straight seasons with at least ten wins, I'm now hoping for KC to lose their last game on the schedule just to improve their draft position.

How did it all go so wrong? Winning a Super Bowl and losing the next one may have altered the perception of this offense, but it hasn't been good for three seasons. KC ranked 15th or lower in points scored per game each of the last three seasons after six straight seasons in the top six. What was the difference? Eric Bienemy left, and Matt Nagy took over as offensive coordinator. 

I spent three seasons wondering what the problem was and when we would be elite again, thinking that the return of injured or suspended players on offense would spark the resurgence of this once-great offense. Meanwhile, Bienemy just found his groove leading the running backs room for the Chicago Bears. The Bears rank 3rd in yards per game and ninth in points per game this season. While he's due for a promotion of some sort, or at least a ton of positive recognition, Matt Nagy seems destined for departure of the state of Missouri - much like the Chiefs themselves. I'm predicting a 23-17 defeat at the hands of the lowly Raiders today, assuming that the Raiders are so dismal that they cannot succeed in failing when failure is their most beneficial outcome. Enjoy this week of football in whatever way suits you best, and I'll be back next weekend for one big wrap-up to this stinker of a season.

Will Denver Give Season's Beating to KC on Christmas?

I expected a Christmas night game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs to be must-see TV. Now, I'm honestly more excited about watching basketball. In terms of sheer entertainment value, there's no contest between today's NBA action and today's Cowboys-Commanders game. I really don't understand how to ingest football as a fan of a non-competitive team, and I don't want to get used to it any time soon.
 
Since draft position is so vital to the future success of NFL franchises, fans of bad teams shouldn't even want victory in December. This leaves me and many other Chiefs fans in an odd mindset for tonight's game. Denver's fighting for the #1 seed in prime-time on Christmas. They have every reason to want this victory. The Chiefs have the rare and wonderful opportunity to draft near the top 10 for the first time since choosing the big-armed QB from Texas Tech that turned this team into a dynasty. This is a crazy statement, but it's also 100% true: the Chiefs' best-case scenario is to end their season with consecutive losses to the Broncos and Raiders.

It's hard to imagine the Chiefs scoring a bunch with their third-string quarterback against an elite Broncos defense still vying for top playoff seeding. KC's season average of 22.5 points per game ranks 20th in the league right now, but they averaged 22.6 last year, which was good for 15th in the league by the end of the regular season. Scoring in the NFL slows down in December, when the weather gets cold and defenses get more serious. I expect KC to struggle to score, while Denver coasts, so my holiday gift for you is a safe bet - go with the UNDER for total points at 47.5 for -430 on DraftKings. That means the Chiefs could lose 31-16 and still make you a little extra cash to burn on New Year's Eve.

I'm predicting a 24-10 defeat at the hands of Denver today. Remember that brighter days for the Chiefs are on the horizon, and remember that enjoying whatever we can with people who love football and love us is what really matters. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and thanks for sticking with me here at The Report.

Chiefs Kingdom Should Embrace Failure Until 2026

Is this the lowest point in the Patrick Mahomes era of Kansas City Chiefs football? It certainly feels like it. The Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention, and the most important player in franchise history just blew out his knee. Positivity suddenly feels like a precious commodity in Chiefs Kingdom, but I'll try to help us see the silver linings.

Nine Chiefs were already ruled out for today's game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. All nine are real contributors that can use this week, and as many more as they want, to get themselves as healthy as possible for next season. Fans should feel the same way about anyone considered a healthy scratch between now and September. I hate that feeling of futility as much as the next Chiefs fan, but they have nothing to earn by winning until 2026.

One of those valuable Chiefs on the injury report is Trent McDuffie, who the Chiefs drafted 21st overall in 2022. That's the highest draft pick for the Chiefs since 2017, when they drafted a big-armed, reportedly unpolished quarterback from Texas Tech as the 10th overall pick. That means everybody the Chiefs drafted in the last ten seasons with a pick higher than 22nd is on pace to be a Hall of Famer. Another injection of talent like that could really stoke the flames in the furnace of this ongoing dynasty.

ESPN currently predicts the Chiefs' average draft position at 13.7. This gives KC the chance to draft someone who becomes a fundamental piece of the future. At the start of this month, PFF listed five different edge rushers in the top 17 of their projected draft. KC's defense struggled to pressure opposing QB's this year, while also allowing the fifth-highest conversion rate on third downs and giving up the seventh-most penalty yards to the opposition. I care way more about drafting the next great piece of the dynasty than I do about Gardner Minshew leading the Chiefs second-stringers to a win over the Titans. It feels weird to say that I hope KC loses, but I do, and I'm predicting a 20-13 defeat today.

Chiefs-Chargers Rivalry Renewed While KC Tries to Keep Hope Alive

Last week's miserable defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans resulted in yet another ugly stat line for the most important player in Kansas City Chiefs history. Patrick Mahomes finished that sad day with a 19.8 Passer Rating. He's gone two weeks now without a Rating reaching 30. This sent me searching through his career Ratings and QBR's for each season, and just a quick look feels revealing.

The first thing I noticed was just how little Passer Rating and QBR seem to agree. If you only trust Passer Rating, Mahomes has been a mediocre QB more years than not. That clearly means you should absolutely not do that. His current Rating for this season is 91.2, which ranks 16th in the NFL. That's below the standard he sets, but it's remarkably similar to last season's Rating of 93.5, which ranked 17th. He also ranked 14th in Rating in 2023 with a 92.6. 

That data alone would indicate the presence of a consistently mediocre signal-caller, but ESPN's QBR algorithm disagrees. Patrick's QBR ranks 4th in the league right now. He finished at 8th over the last two seasons. That brings us to 2022, when a new, disturbing pattern emerges.

Mahomes was awesome in 2022 and 2020, and every measurable agrees with that. 2021 showed yet more disparity between Rating and QBR, when Mahomes was 15th in Rating and 5th in QBR. That season, however, is the only time in this amazing stretch from 2018 to 2022 that Mahomes did not finish a season ranked top-seven in both categories. Most of this production came with freakishly athletic receiver Tyreek Hill on the team and Eric Bieniemy coordinating the offense. Mahomes' incredible 2022 campaign happened without Tyreek.

Bienemy is currently the running backs coach for the Chicago Bears. The Bears average 152.6 rushing yards a game this season. They have the most potent running game in their conference and perhaps in the league. What a perfect compliment to Patrick that would be. For now, though, the questions about next season stay on the back-burner as long as KC has hope for a playoff berth in 2025. That all depends on KC's ability to overcome one of the league's strongest defenses when they face the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead today.

The Chargers defense ranks fourth in total yards allowed per game and 10th in points allowed. They've tallied up more interceptions than any team aside from the Chicago Bears. The offense has been mostly average this season, thanks in part to numerous injuries to key parts of their offensive line, but they still rank 9th in rushing yards per game. Surprisingly, the highly talented Justin Herbert has the potential every week to be the team's biggest problem. He's even the reason I'm picking the Chiefs this week.

Despite having similar overall turnover differentials, with the Chargers at +1 and KC at -1, Herbert is the biggest liability L.A will have on the field today. Only Tua Tagovailoa and Geno Smith have thrown more than Herbert's 11 interceptions this season. The Chargers have a few impressive pelts on the wall after beating the Chiefs in Week 1 in Brazil, Denver in Week 3 and Philly in overtime last week, but they also suffered some embarrassing losses. Defeats at the hands of the Giants and Commanders, and double-digit defeats when facing Jacksonville and Indy all included at least one Justin Herbert interception. I'm predicting at least one more pick from Herbert as KC keeps the embers of hope warm by beating the Chargers 22-19.