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There was a new champion of the AFC last season after the Kansas City Chiefs represented the conference in the Super Bowl for three consecutive years.
The question is: can the Chiefs reclaim the throne from the New England Patriots? Some NFL executives are skeptical.
NFL execs rank AFC teams: Bills lead a jumble of contenders. Does anyone trust the Chiefs? | The Athletic
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Votes: 5-5-3-9-5-7
| Avg: 5.7 | Median: 5 | Vegas wins: 10.5 (T-2nd-AFC)
Tier votes: SB contender: 1 | Division contender: 5
It’s strange seeing the Chiefs all the way down here.
“Yeah, Andy Reid and a healthy Patrick Mahomes?” the exec slotting Kansas City third said. “I’ll take my chances with them coming away with 11 wins.”
That’s barely higher than the Chiefs’ Vegas win total, which ranks tied for second in the AFC.
“Mahomes coming off the knee, they lose the corners in (the offseason) — those are all good players, right?” an exec ranking the Chiefs fifth said. “I’m a little skeptical how they are going to replace those corners. We know Mahomes is good, but I don’t know how healthy he is.”
Chiefs rush to rebuild defense around veteran Chris Jones | ESPN
“Besides Chris, you want guys that can [get] pressure,” Reid said. “If you leave these quarterbacks [time] in this league, and let them sit there [in the pocket], they’re going to rip you apart. You’ve got to make them uncomfortable — and you have to have the guys to be able to do that.
“The guys Brett bought in have that ability. It’s just a matter of getting it done.”
Unlike any previous year under Spagnuolo, who joined the Chiefs in 2019, this year’s path for the defense to be its most effective is expected to be made through the improved production of the linemen.
Latest Kansas City Chiefs salary cap update after RG Trey Smith restructures contract and what it means for the team | A to Z Sports
Why did the Chiefs choose Trey Smith for the restructure?
Kansas City had several options for contract restructures, including defensive tackle Chris Jones and center Creed Humphrey. So why did the team go with Smith?
The biggest and most logical reason is that the Chiefs view Smith as a vital piece of their offensive line and their team leadership. They expect him to be with the organization through the remaining three years of his contract. I’m not sure they’re so certain about Jones. And Humphrey will soon be due a new contract after the center market jumped this offseason considerably.
NFL players, coaches, GMs under the most pressure in 2026 | ESPN
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Worthy had a 157-yard game in the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles in 2024, but his 2025 season was ruined by a shoulder injury, and it’s unclear whether he is more than just a downfield burner.
What’s new on Arrowhead Stadium menu during Chiefs’ games? Check out the ‘26 lineup | The Kansas City Star
Collaborating with fellow chefs on the team and taking feedback from fans is how Wishon finds inspiration for what to bring each season. No items are repeats from years prior, such as the Uncrustable Crunch, Endzone Express appetizer box or the Breakfast Burger from 2025, or the Touchdown Toast from 2024. She will, however, try her hand at something that didn’t go over well in the past to see if the fans’ appetites have changed.
This is why fans will see a few more dessert options on menus this year, like the Nutella Knockout (French toast croissant sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and filled with Nutella and sweet cream cheese) or the Sticky Bourbon Cinna-win Roll (homemade cinnamon roll topped with a Bourbon cream glaze and crispy bacon bits).
Around the NFL
Cardinals agree to terms with WR Michael Wilson on three-year, $75 million extension | NFL.com
The Cardinals have agreed to terms with receiver Michael Wilson on a three-year, $75 million contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Thursday.
Wilson’s deal includes $47 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $78 million, per Rapoport and Schefter.
The 2023 third-round pick will be signed in Arizona through the 2029 season. The Cardinals later announced the deal on Thursday.
Giants’ Cam Skattebo says he mulled retiring after 2025 injury | ESPN
He said Thursday that coming out of Arizona State, he thought about what he would do if he suffered a major injury in the NFL.
“Coming out of college and going into the NFL, I think I gave myself one rule and it was if I ever got a major injury I was done playing,” he said. “And that happened seven games into my career, so it kind of sucked.”
However, the monotony of his recovery, during which he said he would “do absolutely nothing” for 14 hours a day “for weeks on end,” helped him to “find who I am as a player and a person.” And that has reenergized him to play football this season.
49ers land in Melbourne ahead of next week’s game vs. Rams | Pro Football Talk
The 49ers will practice in Melbourne on Saturday morning before beginning their usual game-week schedule on Monday.
They will face the Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground at 10;35 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, Melbourne time, which is 8:35 p.m. ET Thursday, Sept. 10, U.S. time.
The Rams are not making the longest trip in NFL history until Wednesday, landing less than 24 hours before kickoff.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on playing in the slot: ‘I miss it’
“Yeah, I miss it,” Sneed responded when asked about playing the Nickel position. “Spags threw me in there my second year; he just threw me in there, and I fell in love with it.”
Before Sneed was locking down No. 1 receivers during the 2023 campaign, he was a playmaking slot defender who flashed as a blitzer and in run defense. The veteran sounded excited to have more responsibilities than just press coverage on an outside receiver off the line.
“I feel like I can move around and do what I want to do,” Sneed said about playing in the slot. “Not just locked down on one side.”
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