Biggest red flags for 2025 NFL contenders: Chiefs offensive line, Vikings quarterbacks among key questions | CBS Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: Offensive line stability

The Ravens just need their front to stay healthy. The Chiefs, meanwhile, may or may not have a title-caliber line at all. That was clear as day in Super Bowl LIX, when the Philadelphia Eagles tore them to pieces, rendering Patrick Mahomes a nonfactor. Now All-Pro interior man Joe Thuney is gone, and two new faces occupy the present and/or future of left tackle, with rookie Josh Simmons and former San Francisco 49ers prospect Jaylon Moore tasked with protecting Mahomes’ blind side. That’s a fair amount of pressure for unproven blockers.

Cam Ward to Aaron Rodgers: What Could Go Right, Wrong for Every AFC QB in 2025 | FOX Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

What could go right: Mahomes goes back to being 2020 Mahomes.

Back in 2020, the Kansas City offense revolved around Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Now, Hill is gone. And that 2020 version of Kelce is gone, too. Entering his age-36 season, the 10-time Pro Bowl tight end is slowing down. This year, the Chiefs are going to build their offense around young receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. And you’ll see some similarities between Kelce and Rice — and Worthy and Hill. That’ll give Kelce a more opportunistic role. Rookie WR Jalen Royals can take over the spot Mecole Hardman once occupied. And this offense can attack teams at all three levels with consistency.

2025 NFL defensive line rankings: T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward propel Steelers to No. 1 | PFF

15. Kansas City Chiefs

Chris Jones is arguably the NFL’s premier interior defender, furthering a prolific career by earning a position-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade last season. But despite Kansas City’s continuous investments in the defensive line, there is not much talent around him.

While former first-round pick George Karlaftis earned a career-high 69.8 PFF overall grade in 2024, it ranked only 38th among edge defenders. On the other hand, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who was also a first-round pick, barely got any playing time last season and ranked 70th among edge defenders in PFF overall grade.

Pre-Camp Breakdown: Breaking Down the Chiefs Running Backs | The Mothership

Carson Steele

One of the stories of last year’s training camp, Steele made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and went on to appear in all 17 games. He rushed for 183 yards on 56 carries while also contributing on special teams.

Prior to joining the Chiefs, Steele was a standout at Ball State, where he racked up 1,556 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in 2022 as part of an all-conference campaign that included 96 forced missed tackles. He then transferred to UCLA for the 2023 season, where he led the Bruins in rushing yards (847).

Steele proceeded to make the most of his opportunity with the Chiefs, too, by compiling an excellent training camp and preseason. He’ll have a chance to do the same this summer as Steele attempts to make the team once again.

Trey McBride wants to follow in footsteps of Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes | Yardbarker

While appearing on ESPN from the annual Tight End University summit on Tuesday, McBride mentioned that he feels he and Murray can follow in the footsteps of Kansas City Chiefs stars Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes sooner rather than later.

“[Kelce] would always give us some nuggets on being friendly to the quarterback,” McBride explained, per Grant Gordon of the NFL’s website. “Make sure you and your quarterback are on the same page. …Him and Mahomes have a nice connection, and I kind of took that and was like, ‘Why can’t Kyler and I have that same connection?’ I feel like that’s what I tried to do. I tried to have that same relationship and that growth with Kyler and just continue to make plays for him and be that security blanket.”

Around the NFL

Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers ‘pretty sure’ this will be final season | ESPN

In an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Rodgers said he’s likely concluding a career that spanned more than two decades with a final year in Pittsburgh.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it,” said Rodgers, who spent the first 18 years of his career in Green Bay, where he was a four-time NFL MVP. “That’s why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had.

“I played 20 fricking years. It’s been a long run. I’ve enjoyed it, and no better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys in the city that expects you to win.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Roster: Beyond Chris Jones, can pass rush improve in 2025?

Defensive end regression

But this wasn’t the only problem.

While defensive end George Karlaftis was still an impactful player, he recorded fewer pressures: 61 in 2024, compared to 64 in the previous season. But on a per-snap basis, the difference was much more stark: Karlaftis’ pressure rate dipped from 14.1% in 2023 to 11.2% in 2024.

The other defensive ends struggled even more. Mike Danna finished the season with only 22 pressures (after having 41 in 2023). On film, Danna struggled to get any pass rush wins — especially against quick passes.

Charles Omenihu’s production was also down, as he played in only six games after recovering from a torn ACL. Unfortunately, this had a cascading effect on everyone else. In 2023, Kansas City’s pass rush really got rolling only after Omenihu returned from his six-game suspension. Without him for much of the following season, you could see the difference.

Just as in his rookie season, Felix Anudike-Uzomah didn’t contribute much. Josh Uche — brought in to bring additional pass-rushing juice — was also a disappointment.

Essentially, there was little pressure from anyone not named Jones or Karlaftis. The team lacked speed (and bend) around the corner, making it difficult to get around offensive tackles, forcing the defensive line to crush the pocket to create pressure. Knowing this, tackles don’t have to set as deep — allowing them to anchor against power rushes — further negating the defensive line’s impact.