Are the Chiefs following Tom Brady's mid-career slump before bouncing back with another ring?
Chiefs' Super Bowl reign might be over—analyst draws shocking parallel with Tom Brady's fourth ring wait (Getty Images)
After years of dominance, the Kansas City Chiefs have become a familiar fixture on the NFL's grandest stage. But following a crushing 40-22 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, questions are beginning to swirl.
Have the Chiefs finally hit a wall, or are they simply reloading for another run?
Is this the beginning of the end for Kansas City's dynasty led by Mahomes and Kelce?
For Fox Sports analyst Jason McIntyre, the answer seems clear. 'It's over for the Chiefs, guys. You had a great run… Tom Brady won in 2004, had three Super Bowls at the time. It took him a decade to win another one. This stuff is not easy. Just because you have Mahomes and Reid does not guarantee you a spot in the Super Bowl,' he stated on The Herd with Colin Cowherd.
Why Mahomes, Kelce & Chiefs are DONE being contenders | THE HERD NFL
McIntyre is not alone in his skepticism. He believes Kansas City is entering its own version of the Brady-Belichick drought—an era marked by regular-season success but postseason disappointment. 'Again, history is just a guide here, but it took Brady a decade before winning another. They were favored against the Giants in two Super Bowl trips, they lost both of them,' he added.
The doubts don't stop at Super Bowl expectations.
McIntyre even went as far as to claim that the Chiefs might not make the playoffs at all this season. A bold prediction, especially considering the talent still on their roster. But his reasoning stems from the meteoric rise of their AFC West rivals. The Denver Broncos have potentially struck gold with quarterback Bo Nix. The Los Angeles Chargers have retooled their offense, adding high-impact rookies like Joe Alt and Omarion Hampton.
Even the Las Vegas Raiders, desperate to turn things around, are starting the 2025 season with a completely new trio at head coach, quarterback, and running back.
It's become evident that Mahomes and the Chiefs have inadvertently ignited a divisional arms race. Teams are no longer content with second place—they're building specifically to topple the reigning kings.
On top of that, the dreaded 'Super Bowl hangover' looms large.
'The recent history of Super Bowl losers ain't pretty. Go ask the Niners, who fell apart after that overtime loss. The Chiefs beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl. And what happened to the Eagles? They fell apart the next year. There is a bit of a curse for the Super Bowl loser. Oh, and by the way, 12-0 in one-score games last year. Good luck duplicating that one,' McIntyre pointed out.
The loss to the Eagles wasn't just a defeat—it was nearly historic in its margin.
Had it not been for two late touchdown passes from Mahomes to rookie Xavier Worthy, the game could've gone down as the biggest blowout in Super Bowl history. The Chiefs, once praised not just for their on-field talent but also for their off-field sparkle thanks to the Taylor Swift buzz, are suddenly facing criticism from all corners.
Yet, if there's one player you don't bet against, it's the man known as 'Magic Man.' Patrick Mahomes has rewritten the rules of quarterback play since entering the league.
And now, with the 2025 season approaching, the Chiefs are hungry for redemption.
The offseason saw plenty of roster movement. While Kansas City lost several key contributors, they also made strategic additions aimed at solving last year's problems. Veterans like
Travis Kelce
and Chris Jones, possibly entering their final season together with Mahomes, are laser-focused on one mission—getting back to the Super Bowl and finishing the job.
Pro Football Network's latest power rankings placed the Chiefs at No. 5, a respectable spot but not where reigning champions want to be. According to simulations, the team has only a 21.2% chance of reaching the AFC Championship Game. But those are just numbers—and Mahomes has always been more than stats.
For a team that's lived under the brightest lights, the pressure is nothing new. The 2025 season could mark a turning point—either the beginning of the end, or the start of a bold new chapter in the Chiefs' dynasty.
One thing's for sure: doubting Mahomes has never been a good bet.
Also Read:
Why the Jets are lucky to have avoided the unpredictable Aaron Rodgers situation this offseason
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