The offense of the Kansas City Chiefs remains one of the NFL’s most explosive units under Patrick Mahomes, but that boldness carries a hidden fragility.

The Chiefs‘ aggression, especially on fourth down, has paid dividends (they enter the season converting 14 of 17 fourth-down attempts, a 82.4 % rate). That kind of calculus leaves very little margin for error. A turnover, a misstep, or an injury to Mahomes could swing the whole operation. The message from offensive coordinator Matt Nagy on aggressiveness on fourth down was clear: 

“We’ve got to keep that going. We have to stay that way. If you don’t get it, that’s OK… If you do get it, it’s contagious.”

That concern is accentuated by their strategy: Mahomes isn’t just throwing; he’s persistently being asked to extend plays, scramble out of pocket, and create big-time moments all while the stakes and physical toll climb.

This concern is not new. Even Head Coach Andy Reid has previously had to instruct Mahomes to “play it safe” when the quarterback relies too much on rushing to extend plays. For the 2025 season, Mahomes was expected to showcase his elite arm, and he has. Yet he also carries a significant burden by serving as an unofficial part of the Chiefs’ running attack, scrambling to create opportunities when plays break down.

That same edge-of-the-knife philosophy isn’t just confined to Mahomes and the offense. It’s woven into every phase of Kansas City’s game. On special teams, the Chiefs are navigating a new reality one reshaped by the NFL’s permanent kickoff rule, where aggression has become both a weapon and a risk.

The new Kickoff rule to affect Patrick Mahomes

The NFL has permanently changed the kickoff, and while the league is celebrating fewer injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs have discovered the new rule’s secret: referees are somewhat biased.

The “dynamic kickoff” rule, now permanent for 2025, has successfully boosted returns (from 21.8% to 32.8%) by forcing players to line up closer together. This makes the play faster, more intense, and, surprisingly, safer (injuries dropped more than 20%). But for Chiefs Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub, who has masterminded the unit for years, the new style is a referee’s nightmare. 

He recently admitted the wild, high-speed collisions have created an environment of “selective enforcement.”

“There’s holding on every return… It’s just a matter of how blatant it is. That’s what it comes down to.”

The officials are essentially ignoring minor holding fouls to keep the action flowing. For two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, who is hungry for another title, this kickoff chaos is a key part of the Chiefs’ championship chase. If Toub’s special teams can win the physical, “no-foul” battle, they can set Mahomes and the offense up with great starting field position.

Toub’s job is now to teach his players how to use this aggressive, “anything goes” atmosphere to their advantage, all while ensuring the Chiefs don’t commit the “blatant” penalties that will be called.