Welcome back to the Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Each week, watch for your opportunity to submit your Kansas City Chiefs questions in The Feed, which is found on AP’s home page.
After a soul-crushing 16-13
loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, questions now extend well beyond the final score — including when quarterback Patrick Mahomes might take the field again. Let’s see what’s on our readers’ minds.
Ed Helinski asks (via X)
What should Santa be bringing the Chiefs for Christmas?
Even before this week’s devastating injury news, the Chiefs had largely created their own bad luck: receiver drops, penalties, predictable coaching decisions, uninspiring personnel moves and repeated third-and-long defensive collapses. Taken together, that résumé probably lands them squarely on the naughty list — and they’ve already received plenty of coal.
The club already received its most important late-season gift: a successful ACL repair surgery for Mahomes, a development that at least keeps the door open for a Week 1 return. If Santa remains generous, the next request would be simple: no more serious injuries after a Sunday in which nearly every drive seemed to end with someone needing medical attention.
On the field — with three glorified exhibitions remaining — continued progress from rookie defensive end Ashton Gillotte would make for a nice stocking stuffer. Strong performances from any young players earning expanded roles down the stretch would also qualify as small wins while waiting out the season.
It’s unclear how serious the knee injury to tackle Jaylon Moore is, but it would be ideal if Kansas City could get a larger sample of him at right tackle. The other four offensive line spots appear spoken for in 2026. With $7 million in guaranteed salary next season, Moore likely isn’t going anywhere — and probably gets the first look at the job — but additional reps on the right side would be valuable.
Off the field, the team’s impending financial squeeze is probably being overstated for dramatic effect. Still, general manager Brett Veach would happily unwrap a larger-than-expected salary-cap increase for 2026.
Another nice gift would be a deep quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft. It would be great if as many top college passers as possible — such as Oregon’s Dante Moore — enter the draft, therefore nudging other blue-chip talent down toward Kansas City’s eventual draft position.
KyleAtGalaxy asks
If tight end Travis Kelce does decide to retire after the season, would it be possible for him to come back for a 2026 playoff run?
I still suspect that early in the offseason, we will know whether Kelce plans to return or retire — but it’s also possible that he may want to wait for more definitive updates on Mahomes’ rehab before making his decision. Even in a best-case scenario, Mahomes is likely to miss much of training camp — which could make the Chiefs more aggressive than usual in selling their most familiar receiving target on another season.
Kelce’s contract expires after the season, meaning he would be free to sign with any team at any point. Most players who retire still have time remaining on their deals and are placed on the Reserve/Retired list, which carries restrictions on late-season activation — something the Detroit Lions encountered last month when center Frank Ragnow attempted a late return, failed his physical and became ineligible for 2025.
As a free agent, Kelce wouldn’t be bound by those rules. The more relevant question is whether he would retire into a lifestyle that realistically allows for a late-career return.
TheDr.K asks (via X)
Are the chiefs going to shut down wide receiver Xavier Worthy so he can get shoulder surgery?
After so many key players required treatment on Sunday, Wednesday’s first injury report will be interesting. The quick turnaround — from a road game against the Tennessee Titans to hosting the physical Denver Broncos on Thursday — should push the Chiefs toward a conservative approach this week.
While Worthy’s second season has been underwhelming, his toughness hasn’t been in question; he’s played through a torn labrum and a recurring ankle injury. There’s little reason to keep pushing him at this stage. While I’m not a doctor, getting the shoulder surgery now — and maximizing his chances of being ready for camp — seems like the prudent move.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones was also seen receiving hamstring treatment Sunday, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he doesn’t play again this year. Similarly, with the season effectively lost, there’s no reason to rush cornerback Trent McDuffie or guard Trey Smith back from their injuries.
Steve Soper asks
What are the odds head coach Andy Reid walks away now — thereby avoiding going through a rebuild — rather than facing the inevitable parting of the ways at the end of next year?
At 67, Reid has long been enigmatic when asked about his future — and there’s little reason to expect that to change. Fans and media likely spend far more time considering how Reid might go out on top than he does.
On Monday, Reid used the word “retool” when addressing the media and made a cryptic reference to “whoever is still here” after the final three games. While it’s doubtful he has made any firm decisions about next season, that doesn’t sound like someone who is preparing to walk away. Recent press appearances also suggest he understands there must be changes on both the coaching staff and the roster.
I get the impression that Reid simply enjoys coaching — whether it’s in good times or bad times. So whether that involves leading a prohibitive Super Bowl favorite or facing the challenge by planning an offseason around an injured quarterback shouldn’t affect his desire to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.
If Reid does eventually decide to step away on his own terms, history suggests it will come with little warning.
Thank you for reading this week’s Arrowhead Pride Mailbag! Keep watching The Feed for a chance to ask your questions.
