Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs

At 12-3 and already clinching the AFC West for the eighth consecutive season, the Kansas City Chiefs have once again proven they’re among the NFL’s elite. But even the most dominant teams have flaws—and the Chiefs are no exception. This 2024 campaign has highlighted clear areas needing adjustment: inconsistent penalty discipline, occasional turnover struggles from their star quarterback, and depth concerns at a few key positions. Yet, these issues pale in comparison to the team’s strengths: a franchise quarterback in his prime, a locked-in core of Pro Bowl talent, and a front office that consistently builds for both the present and future. Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs examines the specific challenges the Chiefs must address, why these issues are manageable, and why their long-term trajectory remains one of the brightest in the league.

Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs begins with the most pressing issue: penalties that derail momentum and squander scoring opportunities. Through 15 games, the Chiefs rank 22nd in the NFL in total penalty yards (852) and have committed 10 or more penalties in four games this season—including a costly Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, where six offensive penalties (four for holding) stalled three potential touchdown drives. The offensive line has been the primary culprit, with left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and guard Joe Thuney combining for 14 holding calls. These mistakes aren’t just about individual discipline; they’re about communication—pre-snap confusion leading to false starts, or linemen overcompensating against elite pass-rushers. “Penalties are a fixable problem, but they’re a frustrating one,” head coach Andy Reid admitted after the Bills game. “We’re not making dumb mistakes—we’re making mistakes that come from trying too hard, and that’s something we can correct with repetition.” The Chiefs have already taken steps: adding extra film sessions focused on penalty prevention, and having linemen run through pre-snap alignment drills before every practice. The good news? Penalty rates tend to drop in the playoffs as teams focus on execution—and the Chiefs have a history of cleaning up such issues when it matters most (in 2023, they cut their penalty yards per game by 12 in the postseason).

Another key area needing attention—yet far from a crisis—is Patrick Mahomes’ occasional turnover struggles, particularly in high-pressure situations. Mahomes has thrown 10 interceptions this season, his highest total since 2019, with four of those picks coming in the fourth quarter of close games. Some were the result of bad luck (tipped passes, receivers dropping contested catches), but others stemmed from risky decisions—forcing throws into double coverage or extending plays too long. The most notable example came in Week 10 against the Denver Broncos, when Mahomes threw an interception in the end zone with 90 seconds left, nearly costing the Chiefs a win. “I take full responsibility for those mistakes,” Mahomes said after the game. “Sometimes I try to make the impossible play instead of taking what the defense gives me, and that’s something I’m working on.” Importantly, these turnovers haven’t derailed the Chiefs’ season—Mahomes has still posted an MVP-caliber stat line (4,500 yards, 35 touchdowns, 92.1 passer rating) and led four game-winning drives. The issue is more about consistency than decline: Mahomes remains one of the league’s least turnover-prone quarterbacks over his career, and his ability to learn from mistakes (he’s thrown just one interception in his last three games) suggests this is a temporary blip, not a long-term problem.

A critical aspect of Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs is depth concerns at running back and cornerback—issues that are manageable with playoff roster flexibility. The Chiefs’ running back room has been hit hard by injuries: starter Isiah Pacheco missed three games with a knee sprain, and backup Jerick McKinnon is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, leaving undrafted rookie La’Mical Perine as the primary option in short-yardage situations. Perine has played admirably (3.8 yards per carry), but he lacks Pacheco’s burst and McKinnon’s pass-catching ability. Similarly, at cornerback, the Chiefs have relied heavily on L’Jarius Sneed and Jaylen Watson, with minimal depth behind them—rookie Nic Jones has struggled in limited snaps, and veteran Kendall Fuller is nursing a groin injury. For the Kansas City Chiefs, however, these depth issues are mitigated by two factors: first, the team can elevate practice-squad players (like running back Derrick Gore or cornerback Chris Lammons) for playoff games, a luxury they didn’t have earlier in the season; second, their offense is so explosive that they often don’t need to rely on the running game for sustained success. “We’ve built this team to handle injuries at certain positions,” general manager Brett Veach said. “Do we want Pacheco back? Absolutely. But if he’s not ready, we have guys who can step in and do the job—even if it’s not the same, it’s enough to win.”

Another reason for optimism is the Chiefs’ defensive resurgence, which has turned a potential weakness into a strength. Early in the season, the defense struggled to stop the run (allowing 115 yards per game in Weeks 1-4) and generate consistent pressure. But since Week 5, they’ve flipped the script: ranking 8th in run defense (98 yards per game) and 10th in sacks (44 total). The turnaround is due in large part to two factors: the emergence of free safety Bryan Cook as a playmaking “free hitter” (11 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles) and the dominant play of defensive end George Karlaftis (15 sacks, 22 quarterback hits) after signing his mid-season extension. The defense has also improved in red-zone efficiency, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on just 45% of their trips inside the 20—down from 58% last season. “Our defense is playing with more confidence, and it shows,” defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said. “We’re not just relying on sacks to win—we’re stopping the run, forcing turnovers, and making teams earn every yard. That’s the kind of defense that wins playoff games.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this defensive growth is critical: in Super Bowl years, the Chiefs have always had a defense that can make stops in crunch time—and this year’s unit is starting to look like those championship-caliber groups.

Wrapping up Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs is the team’s long-term stability, which sets them apart from other contenders. Unlike teams like the Baltimore Ravens (who face uncertainty at quarterback beyond Lamar Jackson’s current deal) or the San Francisco 49ers (who have key defensive stars entering free agency), the Chiefs have locked down their core: Mahomes is signed through 2031, Karlaftis and Brown Jr. through 2028, and tight end Travis Kelce through 2026. They also have young, emerging talent (wide receiver Rashee Rice, safety Cook) under team control for multiple seasons, ensuring minimal turnover in key roles. This stability means the Chiefs won’t have to rebuild anytime soon—they’ll just reload, using draft picks and cap space to address small gaps rather than overhauling the roster. “We’ve built this franchise to be successful for a decade, not just a year,” team president Mark Donovan said. “The problems we have now are the kind of problems that come with competing at the highest level—and they’re the kind we can fix without tearing anything down.” As the Chiefs head into the playoffs, their fixable flaws are outweighed by their strengths: elite quarterback play, a locked-in core, and a defense that’s peaking at the right time. Problems to Fix but Strong Outlook for the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t just a assessment of their current state—it’s a reminder that even the best teams have room to grow, and that the Chiefs’ foundation is strong enough to turn challenges into championships.