The End of Chiefs Dominance in the AFC West

This has been an unusual NFL season for many reasons. Most notably, it marked at least a temporary end to the Kansas City Chiefs’ dominance of the AFC West. Instead of Kansas City running away with the division and securing a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs finished a stunning third in the division with a 6–11 record. Their once-prolific offense simply fell apart.

Mahomes was once on a trajectory to finish his career alongside the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He is a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time MVP and a three-time Super Bowl champion. From 2018 through 2022, Mahomes delivered five brilliant seasons before the Kansas City offense began a slow descent into mediocrity.

A one-year slump is understandable, but three seasons of decline is significant. If the Chiefs fail to turn things around in the 2026 season, a complete re-evaluation of Mahomes’ standing among the NFL elite may be necessary. He was not an MVP candidate in either 2024 or 2025, and that award currently feels out of reach.

The 2025 NFL MVP Candidates

The MVP race in 2025 features Matthew Stafford of the Rams, Drake Maye of the Patriots, Josh Allen of the Bills and Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers. Trevor Lawrence of the Jaguars is also listed as an official candidate, but his inconsistency makes him more of an up-and-down performer than a true MVP threat, despite a bounce-back season in 2025.

Matthew Stafford Defies Age and Expectations

Stafford, now 37 years old, is defying the usual expectations for quarterbacks at his age. While older quarterbacks can still compete, decline typically sets in. Somehow, Stafford has managed to avoid it.

He completed 388 of 597 passes for 4,707 yards, throwing a league-leading 46 touchdown passes against just eight interceptions. He has never been a running quarterback and gained just one rushing yard all season, but his pocket movement and ability to buy time remain exceptional. When the game is on the line, Stafford’s teammates have complete confidence in him to deliver.

Drake Maye Sparks a Patriots Revival

Drake Maye led the Patriots on a worst-to-first turnaround in 2025, making it feel as if the franchise has turned back the clock to the Bill Belichick–Tom Brady era. New England is once again playing for the AFC title, just like in the “old days.”

This, however, is the Mike Vrabel–Drake Maye era, and it feels fresh, new and energized. Maye possesses size, strength, athleticism and elite arm talent. He completed 354 of 492 passes for 4,394 yards with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while also rushing for 450 yards and four scores.

Beyond the numbers, Maye showed toughness and resilience, routinely taking big hits and responding with clutch throws. After struggling as a rookie, he made remarkable progress in his second season.

Josh Allen’s Unmatched Physical Talent

Josh Allen remains the most dangerous all-around athlete in the league and is capable of carrying the Bills to victory in any game he plays.

That has been the story of Allen’s career—spectacular, jaw-dropping performances mixed with baffling and often heartbreaking losses. One such loss came in the divisional playoffs against the Broncos, a defeat that ultimately cost Sean McDermott his job as head coach.

Some of that responsibility may fall on Allen, who can be reckless at times, but there is simply nothing he cannot do at the quarterback position. He completed 319 of 460 passes for 3,668 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, though those numbers don’t fully capture his impact.

As a runner, Allen was brilliant and fearless, gaining 579 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns. He combines overwhelming physical talent with a level of courage rarely seen from a quarterback.

Christian McCaffrey’s Value to the 49ers

Christian McCaffrey carried the 49ers into the playoffs as the best running back in football. While he may not be as fast as Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, McCaffrey is the most complete all-around player in the league.

He led San Francisco in both rushing and receiving, making him a truly unique weapon. McCaffrey rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 102 receptions for 924 yards and seven more scores. Without him, the 49ers might have been battling the Cardinals for last place in the NFC West.

Instead, they were battling the Seahawks and Rams for the division crown.