On Sunday, December 14, Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers, and to say this is a must-win game is an understatement. According to NFL research, the Chiefs have a 13% chance of making the postseason how it stands right now. If they win, it goes up to 19%, which still isn’t great, but if they lose, it drops to less than one percent.

So, this is it for the 6-7 Kansas City Chiefs. They’ll be eliminated from the playoffs if they don’t beat the Los Angeles Chargers, and that puts a lot of stress on their backs.

But, not every season is perfect, and whether or not the Chiefs win on Sunday, now is the time to start looking ahead to the future of the franchise. If they don’t want a repeat of the 2025-26 season, they’re going to have to add some fresh talent to their roster, and Mahomes will need some new offensive players to call on when needed.

Kansas City Chiefs Need Help on Offense

In a Wednesday, December 10, feature looking at the NFL draft for 2026, Field Yates of ESPN gives his take on what the Chiefs need to look at for the future. He does have the caveat, “As we say before every mock draft, it’s important to remember things will change a good deal before the draft gets rolling on April 23.”

But, Yates likes running back Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame for the Chiefs. Mahomes could use another solid running back on the roster, especially a budding one.

“As Kansas City enters an unusual offseason that will likely start when 14 other teams advance to the playoffs, it’s clear the offense needs another playmaker,” he notes in the piece. “The Chiefs’ running backs are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season. Is it likely that Love drops to No. 14 to fix that?”

He adds, “I have my doubts, but most NFL teams are wary of using a first-round pick at running back when they could address needs at more premium positions. The Chiefs might have some pause after their 2020 selection of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32) didn’t work out, but Love is too good to pass on here.”

But, in the end, Yates likes the choice, because this player is “an amazingly explosive, agile and balanced runner who effortlessly makes defenders miss (60 forced missed tackles this season on just 199 carries). The Heisman Trophy finalist is also a legitimate threat in the passing game, with 10.4 yards per catch and three receiving touchdowns this season.”

Playoff Picture Around the NFL

So, looking at the rest of the teams in the NFL, there are a handful of franchises that are already, for all practical purposes, in the playoffs. Those teams, according to NFL research, include the the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Going into Week 15, the Patriots and Broncos have more than a 99% chance of making the postseason, and the Packers are at 98%. The Rams, Jags and Seahawks are at 97%. So, these are the teams to expect to see in the big game, more likely than the Chiefs this season.