The Kansas City Chiefs have often been disrespected throughout the 2026 offseason, embracing a familiar theme. A 6-11 season where they missed the playoffs will tend to do that for a franchise that has so many haters from past years. Still, there is little reason to fear the rest of the AFC, as conference rivals have continuously failed to best Patrick Mahomes in a game that matters.
All of this to say there isn't a clear threat to the Chiefs in the AFC if the roster is at its best. However, the same cannot be said when looking at potential Super Bowl matchups and realizing the possibility of an NFC powerhouse from 2025 getting even better.
The Los Angeles Rams have an undeniably stacked roster, taking Kansas City's starting corners from a season ago in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, as well as adding Myles Garrett, the best pass-rusher of the last decade, fresh off breaking the single-season sack record.
Finally, add into the mix the growing rumors of Aaron Donald's return, which would be enough to garner a level of fear, making the path to beating the Chiefs and Mahomes in a Super Bowl matchup that much easier. While Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts both played well in KC's Super Bowl losses, it wasn't the quarterbacks deciding the outcome but a Tampa Bay and Philadelphia pass rush that dominated the Chiefs' makeshift offensive lines and left Mahomes zero chance to answer.
Former superstar DT Aaron Donald seems to be flirting with a return to the NFL
There is already reason to wonder if the presence of Garrett is going to push Los Angeles over the hump and into their second Super Bowl win in the Matthew Stafford-Sean McVay era. If Donald were to return as well and be even close to the player he once was, LA's front four would be unstoppable. One that could overcome Kansas City's offensive line depth and likely make life incredibly difficult for Mahomes and the Chiefs in a potential Super Bowl matchup.
Keep in mind that the Rams and Chiefs face off later in the season in a primetime Week 13 showdown at Sofi Stadium. This could very well be a primer of what is to come a couple of months down the line, assuming both squads perform up to expectations. While this obviously requires a return to prominence and a run through the AFC, this is familiar territory for Kansas City fans. When Mahomes is healthy, the season hasn't ended short of the AFC Championship.
Leading us to consider the impact of Donald returning and bolstering a defense that already has the tools to be a clear Super Bowl nightmare. With that said, we are a long way from this being determined, with a long season ahead; it is simply noteworthy and should have Kansas City fans pulling for Donald to remain retired.
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