Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs entered the 2025 campaign with Super Bowl expectations, but reality has hit hard. Following a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the defending AFC champions sit at 6-6 and in third place in the division.
Now, a former defensive leader is weighing in on precisely what the roster is missing.
What Does Tyrann Mathieu Identify as the Chiefs’ Biggest Need?
Tyrann Mathieu knows what championship football looks like in Kansas City. The three-time Pro Bowler spent three seasons with the franchise, helping anchor the defense during their Super Bowl LIV victory. Before his time in KC, the “Honey Badger” spent five years with the Arizona Cardinals and one with the Houston Texans, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier safeties.
On Monday, Mathieu joined the “Up & Adams Show” with Kay Adams to discuss his former team’s struggles. When asked what areas need addressing before next season, he pointed directly to the backfield.
“I feel like they have so many holes,” Mathieu said. “I would really like for them to get a running back that can take that pressure off of Patrick Mahomes.”
“I feel like they got so many holes… I would really like for them to get a running back”
– Tyrann Mathieu on the Chiefs’ biggest need for next year@Mathieu_Era | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/omQ64QeTs9
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) December 1, 2025
Mathieu’s assessment aligns with the production on the field. Veteran Kareem Hunt currently leads the offense in carries, yards, and touchdowns. The 2017 third-round pick has posted 515 rushing yards and seven scores, adding 14 catches for 114 yards and a receiving touchdown. PFSN’s RB Impact ranking assigned Hunt a 78.6 grade for his performance in 2025.
Meanwhile, Isiah Pacheco has struggled to stay on the field. He has missed three games this year, continuing a trend where he hasn’t played a full season since his rookie campaign in 2022. When active, the Rutgers product has contributed 81 carries for 345 yards and one touchdown.
This situation becomes more urgent looking at the roster construction. Hunt and Pacheco are both free agents after this season, leaving 2025 seventh-round pick Brashard Smith as the only running back under contract for next year. Remarkably, the franchise hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Hunt tallied 1,327 yards back in 2017.
Can the Chiefs Overcome the Odds to Make the Playoffs?
The path forward is steep. At 6-6, Kansas City trails the 10-2 Denver Broncos and the 8-4 Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC West. PFSN’s Football Playoff Meter gives the Chiefs just a 22.2% chance to extend their season.
Looking at the schedule, the remaining gauntlet includes matchups against the Houston Texans, Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders. Those three division games will likely determine their fate, while the Texans’ contest adds another hurdle against a potential Wild Card competitor.
History is also at stake. Mahomes has never missed the postseason in his career, and the organization hasn’t been excluded from playoff football since 2014.
