After a disappointing 6-11 season that shocked the NFL world, many analysts have questioned whether the Kansas City Chiefs are still capable of returning to championship contention.
But if there is one person who remains confident in the future of the franchise, it is head coach Andy Reid.
Speaking recently on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Reid reflected on the Chiefs’ difficult 2025 campaign and explained why he believes the gap between last season’s struggles and a successful 2026 turnaround is much smaller than people realize.
For a franchise that reached seven consecutive AFC Championship Games and appeared in five Super Bowls under Reid, finishing with a losing record felt almost unimaginable. Yet the veteran coach sees valuable lessons hidden inside the disappointment.
According to Reid, the difference between winning and losing in the NFL often comes down to only a handful of plays.
“There’s a small margin between winning and losing in this league,” Reid explained.
The Chiefs experienced that reality firsthand throughout the 2025 season. A year earlier, Kansas City dominated close games and consistently found ways to win in pressure situations. In 2025, many of those same moments went the other direction.
Instead of celebrating dramatic victories, the Chiefs repeatedly found themselves on the wrong side of narrow defeats.
That shift ultimately transformed what could have been a playoff-caliber season into one of the most frustrating years of the Reid era.
Despite the disappointing record, Reid does not believe Kansas City is far away from competing again.
Rather than viewing the roster as fundamentally broken, the longtime head coach sees a team that needs adjustments, improved execution, and healthier circumstances.
The return of Patrick Mahomes from injury remains the biggest storyline entering the 2026 season.
Kansas City also welcomes back several key contributors while continuing to develop younger talent across the roster. Combined with another offseason under Reid’s leadership, the organization believes the foundation for a rebound is already in place.
One of Reid’s greatest strengths throughout his coaching career has been his ability to respond to adversity.
Time and time again, his teams have bounced back from setbacks stronger, smarter, and more determined.
That history is exactly why Chiefs Kingdom should not panic after one disappointing season.
The NFL changes quickly.
One year a team is fighting for draft position.
The next year it can be competing for a championship.
Andy Reid understands that reality better than almost anyone.
And based on his latest comments, the message coming from Kansas City is clear:
The Chiefs are not rebuilding.
They’re preparing for a comeback.
