The 2025 season just never felt right. The Kansas City Chiefs appeared to be tired, were undisciplined, and seemingly the rest of the NFL had caught up. The Chiefs lost their AFC West crown and missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.
With the first four weeks of the 2026 season behind us, and the Chiefs on their bye week—we can already say the Chiefs are fully back. We’ve seen special teams blunders, division domination, an overtime victory, and playing down to opponents we think they
should easily beat—while still winning by two plus scores.
While the Chiefs have come out of the gate with some of the old and familiar, they’ve also evolved. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the blessing of a rushing attack for the first time in his career with the arrival of running back Kenneth Walker III. The threat of the running game has only helped the two time league MVP, as he’s found his deep ball again, and appears no worse for the wear in his return from the 2025 season ending ACL and LCL repair. The defense has also showed flashes of speed and athleticism which was lacking in recent seasons.
Although it’s an early bye week, we’ve had no shortage of electric moments in the Chiefs’ 4-0 start to the season. In no particular order, here are the top five moments of the Chiefs’ 2026 season.
Patrick Mahomes tells the world he is just fine
From the minute Mahomes was injured last December, he has been working toward opening night of the 2026 season. Grueling months of rehab led to the Chiefs’ opening salvo against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Fans were nervous, Mahomes had fully participated in training camp but hadn’t seen any live reps in the preseason. Everyone held their breath when on the first drive of the game, Mahomes didn’t just drop back to pass in the red zone—but began to actually run with the football. Mahomes scored a rushing touchdown, not once, but twice (the first score called back due to penalty) for the first touchdown of the Chiefs’ season.
Mahomes isn’t necessarily known as a running quarterback. However, when he does run with the ball, he has an uncanny ability to get the necessary yards and be just a tick faster than the defender chasing him. Seeing the football field for the first time since tearing his ACL and LCL, Mahomes looked like he hadn’t missed any time at all.
Kansas City’s unquestioned leader, the face of the NFL, and best player in the world—was back.
Kenneth Walker III makes his KC debut
There is no doubt the Chiefs made the best free agent signing of the offseason when they signed Walker, the Super Bowl LX MVP. Walker has been simply sensational for the Chiefs thus far. He is a weapon at the running back position the Chiefs have not employed since Jamaal Charles, and has completely revitalized the Chiefs’ offensive attack.
After four weeks, Walker leads the NFL in rushing yards and is on pace to set the NFL record for rushing yards in a single season. Walker got off to a hot start, not taking long to make his presence known for the Chiefs.
In his debut in week 1 against the Denver Broncos, Walker finished with 173 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with 3 receptions including a receiving touchdown. It’s not just the final numbers that are impressive. It’s Walker’s fight and unwillingness to be tackled by the first defender that makes contact.
Walker bullied the division rival Broncos all night—from the first possession to the final whistle. During the first series, Walker had seven rushing attempts—a statement from head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy that the rushing attack was a priority for the Chiefs’ offense. His rushing touchdown came in the third quarter on a 4th and 1 rushing attempt up the gut. He broke to the outside and scampered for a 60 yard run to pay dirt.
It was in this moment the rest of the NFL had to wonder how they allowed Walker to come to Kansas City.
Mansoor Delane introduces himself to the NFL
With the loss of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in the offseason, there were major question marks surrounding the Chiefs’ secondary. These questions resulted in the Chiefs trading up and drafting cornerback Mansoor Delane at pick number 6 overall out of LSU.
Delane did not wait long to make an impression.
On the Broncos first drive of the game, Delane read quarterback Bo Nix like a book, ran wide receiver Courtland Sutton’s route for him, and intercepted the football. The rookie corner quickly flashed the skills the Chiefs valued in April.
Unfortunately, Delane aggravated a shoulder injury on the play which he battled throughout training camp and the preseason. He would go on to miss the rest of the Monday Night opener.
Since returning to the field, Delane has continued to show amazing coverage skills and tackling ability. He should be a cornerstone for this Chiefs’ defense for years to come.
The Chiefs still know how to win in clutch moments
Week 2 was an 33-30 overtime thriller win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have long been kryptonite for the Chiefs, and it appeared at times throughout the game that this would be another disappointing outing. The game featured seven lead changes, and the overtime clock expired on kicker Harrison Butker’s game winning 40 yard field goal.
Overtime was filled with drama, a classic Chiefs-Colts battle. After the Chiefs scored a field goal on their opening possession of overtime, they thought they had the game in hand when wide receiver Laquon Treadwell fumbled the ball after a deep reception. Upon replay, however, cornerback L’Jarius Sneed barely grazed Treadwell as he went to the ground.
The Colts finished that drive with a field goal of their own, but the inevitable happened when the opponent gives the ball to Mahomes with the game on the line. The Chiefs found themselves at 2-0 to start the season, battle tested, and reclaiming their clutch gene.
Special teams steps up to help seal divisional win
Week 4 saw a classic AFC West rivalry renewed with the Chiefs visiting the revitalized Las Vegas Raiders. Both teams entered the game undefeated, a chance to cement an early season lead in first place in the division.
Late in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton who was having the game of his career, dislocated his ankle and was carted off the field. The Chiefs finished off the drive with a Walker rushing touchdown to take a 23-19 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the much maligned Chiefs’ special teams unit made a play the Chiefs needed to help seal the win. Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa punched the ball out of the returner’s hands, and the Chiefs came up with football to give the offense the ball back near the red zone.
On the following play, Walker sealed the deal with a 23 yard rushing score to extend the lead and cement the Chiefs’ second divisional win of the season. The special teams play once again showed the Chiefs’ ability to come up big in the biggest of moments, as well as responding to adversity following the serious injury to their teammate.
Agree with the list? What are some of your favorite moments from the young 2026 season? Let us know in the comments below.
