Arrowhead Pride
You know what was awesome about Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers?
Nothing.
Here are a few players who stood out in the last meaningful game of the 2025 season in Kansas City:
Tight end Travis Kelce: Retirement speculation will now dominate any conversation surrounding the 36-year old; Chiefs Kingdom may have seen the last chains-moving completion between Kelce and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. If so, it was glorious. On Sunday, Kelce continued to show he can still get the job done with 70 receiving yards over seven catches. 797 yards this season ranks Kelce second among NFL tight ends; he is a few solid performances away from an eighth 1,000-yard season. Undoubtedly, he should be the last player to wear 87 in franchise history.
Linebackers Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton: Once again, Kansas City’s defense showed up and fought until the end. The Chargers were held under 100 yards rushing and 300 total yards on offense. The veteran linebackers combined for 25 tackles (two for loss) and two quarterback hits. Tranquill seemed to elevate his game against his former team. Bolton battled through multiple in-game injuries to do what he does best.
Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu: The pass rush impacted Los Angeles’ offense, hitting quarterback Justin Herbert 12 times and finishing four with a sack. Omenihu made his contribution with 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss.
Gaining experience: One of the only silver linings from this 2025 season is the opportunity young players will have over the next three weeks. In the Mahomes era, the team has never been eliminated from playoff contention until now. Championship teams lean on veterans down the stretch, and non-playoff teams look to the future. For the remaining games, these players should be given the chance to prove useful for the future: safety Jaden Hicks, running back Breshard Smith, wide receiver Jalen Royals, cornerback Nohl Williams, linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, defensive back Kevin Knowles and tight end Jared Wiley.
Defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte: He’s one rookie who is getting better each week and making the most of his opportunities. Gillotte logged his first career interception on Sunday, earned half of a sack for the second straight week, registered another hit and batted a pass down. He has a relentless motor and is showing his value for the future.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes: Once again, the two-time MVP did what he could to will this team to victory. Once again, it wasn’t enough. After an early rushing touchdown, the offense had 4 three-and-outs over the next ten possessions. The fourth quarter — when Mahomes used to save the day — started with a red-zone interception on third-and-12. With five minutes left, the Chiefs’ offense pushed past midfield before Mahomes went down. Being helped off the field with a torn ACL was a sickening, but fitting end to what had to be the most frustrating season of his professional career.
**Offensive linemen not named Creed Humphrey...
