30 explosive plays for the entire regular season. That is what the Kansas City Chiefs‘ WR corps could combine for last year. In a season of franchise record 15 wins and a third-straight Super Bowl appearance, Andy Reid saw his receiver depth crumble. First Rashee Rice, then Hollywood Brown, and a whole lot of decline in gaining yards. They looked to switch it up this season.

Entering 2025, Rice asked the league to watch out. The Chiefs were coming in with 8 WRs, and he was affirmative that they were going to put on a show. But two weeks in, the Chiefs Kingdom has sunk deep with two losses. Their concern? The pattern is hiding in plain sight in the Grim Reaper’s play: his decision to pass or run the ball himself. Well, Patrick Mahomes has latched on to the latter.

The QB’s career scramble rate stands at 6.2% presently, while the highest was recorded in 2023 at 7.6%. This year, he is already at more than 15%. That’s a 100% increase!

In the season opener against the LA Chargers, he rushed for a team-leading 57 yards and followed it up with seven rushes for 66 yards against the Eagles. The two running backs, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, had combined for 53 themselves. Still, Mahomes isn’t pointing fingers.

The QB is blaming himself for the Chiefs’ offensive struggles. He admitted that while scrambling has bailed the team out at times, it hasn’t always been the smartest choice. Instead, he believes staying in the pocket longer, trusting his line, and working through his progressions could have opened up bigger plays down the field. Mahomes knows the opportunities have been there, and it’s on him to execute better and give his receivers the chance to make something happen. But there’s the other part of the story: The poor supporting cast.

The Chiefs’ WR still lacks depth. Rice, who was expected to headline the WRs after setting a franchise record for receiving TDs (7) as a rookie, is serving his 6-game suspension. Xavier Worthy, who racked up 742 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns in his freshman year, injured his shoulder in the week 1 game and did not play in week 2. Brown and Jaylen Royals find themselves on the injury report, too, forcing Mahomes to decide on a scramble more often. The Chiefs, however, are no strangers to the concern.

Last season, Rice incurred an injury in week 4 and excused himself for the rest of the season. What it entailed was the team finishing 2024 with 26 receiving TDs, along with Mahomes’ 11 disappointing interceptions. While the team somehow remained afloat for the Super Bowl, this season, by no means, do they look ready to replicate the story.

Historically, of the 15 seasons starting 0-2, the Chiefs have made the playoffs only once. Even then, a loss in the wild-card round is all they could manage. Now, Patrick Mahomes has often reiterated that they are focused on success, but the Chiefs Kingdom has only sunk deeper with each game. The offensive linemen have already allowed 36.95 pressures, ranking a low 16th among 32 teams. However, there’s another challenge that Andy Reid and his coaches have to look into.

This year, their schedule is tough. The Athletic‘s Austin Mock predicted it to be the 6th-hardest. Out of the next 15 games, there are 5 games in which Mock predicted their chances of winning to be around 50%. If they lose those 5 games, they will be sitting with a 10-7 record. Would it be enough to take them into the playoffs? Probably not.

If they fail to qualify, it might mark a heartbreaking end to the career of their veteran tight end, who is almost in his last year.

Patrick Mahomes needs to ramp up his efforts for his friend Travis Kelce

Let’s jog back to the evening of February 9, 2025, when New Orleans was caught up in the Super Bowl fever. Swifties thronged to Caesars Superdome. But the game ended 22-40 against the Chiefs. The aftermath? Travis Kelce walked through the stadium alleys alone, disappointed and heartbroken. The talk of his retirement got louder. But he came back, seemingly for one last dance.

His numbers last year weren’t great. 16 games (all starters), 97 receptions for 823 yards and 3 touchdowns. That’s the lowest TD in his career, except for his rookie year, when he played only 1 game. But Patrick Mahomes believed in his friend. On the ground, though, the challenges still exist!

In 2 games of 2025, Travis Kelce has logged 6 receptions for 108 yards and 1 touchdown. And he is turning 36 in 16 days. So, expecting him to carry the workload is a bit too overboard. But that’s the state of the Chiefs right now. They need to find other ways. And Chiefs’ Kingdom knows that Andy Reid will find a way around that.

Kelce was in the news during the week 1 game when Chargers DT Teair Tart threw a punch and avoided ejection. But the TE understands that expecting their rivals to go easy on them isn’t logical. However, this season, they will be running a race against time more than their rivals. Last year, they ended 15-2. This year, they are already 0-2. Grim Reaper is the man in charge. 2025 is the year that will test his true abilities.