Chiefs Under Pressure in AFC West
The Kansas City Chiefs are under pressure to make key offensive investments if they hope to regain dominance in the AFC West, while the Denver Broncos have signaled that surrounding quarterback Bo Nix with more weapons will be critical for their continued contention. Sports Illustrated outlined these strategic priorities in their "One Move Every AFC West Team Should Make" feature as teams jockey for position in the offseason.
- The Chiefs' ground game was a significant issue in 2025, with running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt managing a mere 3.8 yards per carry. This lack of a rushing threat contributed to their offensive struggles and a third-place finish in the division with a 6-11 record. - Denver's top receiver, Courtland Sutton, surpassed 1,000 yards last season, but the offense lacked consistent secondary options. Second-year receiver Troy Franklin, for instance, required a high volume of 104 targets to accumulate his 709 yards. To address this, the Broncos recently hired Ronald Curry as the new wide receivers coach. - The Los Angeles Chargers, under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, made the playoffs with an 11-win season. Harbaugh is expected to continue implementing his "smashmouth football" philosophy, prioritizing a strong offensive line to protect quarterback Justin Herbert. - After a disastrous 3-14 season, the Las Vegas Raiders fired coach Pete Carroll after just one year. Facing a significant rebuild, some analysts have suggested the team should trade star defensive end Maxx Crosby for draft capital to accelerate the process. - The 2025 season marked a major power shift in the division, which the Chiefs had won for nine consecutive years. The Broncos claimed the top spot with a 14-3 record and an appearance in the AFC Championship game.
