Arrowhead Pride
The downward spiral of the 2025 season continued in Week 16, as the Kansas City Chiefs once again showed little sign of offensive life — this time with backup quarterback Gardner Minshew lining up behind center.
But even that didn’t last. Minshew left the game in the second quarter with what was later reported as a possible torn ACL, forcing Kansas City to turn to third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun for the remainder of the afternoon.
The defense showed early signs of resistance — but as the offense continued to stall, the defenders were gradually worn down, too. By the final whistle, the Tennessee Titans had done enough to secure a 26–9 landslide victory over a battered Kansas City team.
Here are five things we learned from watching the Chiefs team limp closer to the finish line.
Travis Kelce is the greatest tight end in NFL history. He is a consummate teammate, a franchise pillar and one of the defining figures of this era of Chiefs football. With nothing tangible left to gain, the final two games of the season may be about honoring what could be the closing chapter of his career.
Sure… Kansas City could continue starting Oladokun and see more of what unfolded Sunday. Or it could lean into the moment and do something memorable.
Kelce played quarterback in both high school and college. He’s spoken openly about dreaming of being an NFL quarterback.
Let’s be clear: I don’t mean putting Kelce under center just to hand off the ball. The Chiefs should go no-huddle. Spread the field. Let Kelce call plays. Let him rip it. At this point, who cares? We should make the most of our time with Kelce.
Will the Chiefs beat the Broncos if Kelce starts at quarterback? No.
Will he look polished at the position? Probably not.
Should the Chiefs do it anyway? Absolutely.
Why? Because it’s Christmas. Because it would be fun. And because it would give fans one last joyful memory with No. 87.
Entering Week 16, the final three games looked like a perfect audition for Gardner Minshew — a chance to prove he could serve as a bridge quarterback if Patrick Mahomes isn’t ready by Week 1 of 2026.
It looks like that plan is now off the table. Kansas City needs to figure out what comes next.
And no… it shouldn’t be Oladokun.
Whether it’s signing a veteran free agent such as Marcus Mariota or drafting a mid-round quarterback and handing him the reins early, the Chiefs face a difficult balancing act: finding a competent stopgap without wasting resources if Mahomes is able to return quickly.
With uncertainty looming at quarterback, the clearest way to stabilize the offense is to overhaul the backfield.
If Mahomes isn’t under center, his replacement is a placeholder. To...
