The NFL schedule release is almost here, and even coming off the worst season of the era featuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs are still going to dominate the national spotlight.
That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.
Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026. The league knows
viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field. The reality is simple: the Chiefs remain must-see television.
With that being said, not every matchup deserves the primetime treatment.
As the NFL prepares to unveil its schedule Thursday, here are four games that absolutely should not land in primetime for the Chiefs this season.
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Yes, the rivalry matters historically.
Yes, the Raiders now have the No. 1 overall pick, coming off a national championship and a Heisman-winning season by quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
And yes, it’s easy to picture schedule makers convincing themselves that “Mahomes vs. the next big thing” sounds like compelling television.
But let’s be honest here: the Raiders are still a long way from being legitimate contenders.
Even if the organization insists Mendoza won’t start immediately, it’s hard to imagine that holding through the middle of the season if Las Vegas is sitting near the bottom of the AFC West yet again. At some point, the rookie is probably going to play.
The NFL may see that as intrigue, but this rivalry simply doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. The matchup feels much more like a regional afternoon game than a standalone national showcase.
2. Arizona Cardinals at home
There’s just nothing about this matchup that screams must-watch television.
The Cardinals remain one of the league’s more directionless franchises, and even the presence of Mahomes isn’t enough to elevate this into a compelling standalone game.
This should be one of those clean, simple, noon kickoffs where the Chiefs handle business and move on.
Especially with the game in Kansas City, there’s little reason for the NFL to force this onto a national stage when there are far more intriguing matchups available across the schedule.
3. New York Jets at home
The Jets had a strong draft. There’s talent on the roster. Defensively, there are pieces to like — but until the quarterback situation changes, this still doesn’t feel like a marquee matchup.
Nobody is circling Geno Smith versus Mahomes as one of the defining games of the season.
The Chiefs already have enough high-level opponents on the schedule to fill the primetime slate. Kansas City versus the Jets feels much more like a game fans casually flip to on a Sunday afternoon rather than one they plan their entire night around.
Get in. Get out. Move on.
4. Miami Dolphins on the road
A few years ago, this would’ve absolutely been a primetime matchup.
Not anymore.
The Dolphins are entering what feels like a transitional phase offensively. The additions of Malik Willis at quarterback and a strong running game may make them competitive at times, but the explosive identity that once made Miami dangerous appears to be fading.
With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer leading the offense, this simply doesn’t carry the same electricity it once did.
There’s no question the Dolphins still have some talented players. But as currently constructed, this doesn’t feel like a game worthy of a national standalone window.
Kansas City has better matchups.
Honorable mention: Atlanta Falcons on the road
The Falcons were close to making the official list.
There’s enough talent there to become interesting eventually, but it still doesn’t quite feel like a matchup that demands the primetime stage — at least not yet.
Bottomline
The Chiefs are still going to live in primetime because Mahomes guarantees eyeballs. That part isn’t changing anytime soon.
But the NFL schedule works best when primetime games actually feel big.
Kansas City has several matchups this season that deserve the national spotlight. These four simply don’t feel like they belong in that category.
