Arrowhead Pride (KC)
4 Chiefs matchups that absolutely shouldn’t be primetime games in 2026
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The NFL schedule release is almost here, and even coming off the worst season of the era featuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs are still going to dominate the national spotlight.That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026. The league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field. The reality is simple: the Chiefs remain must-see television.With that being said, not every matchup deserves the primetime treatment.As the NFL prepares to unveil its schedule Thursday, here are four games that absolutely should not land in primetime for the Chiefs this season.Yes, the rivalry matters historically.Yes, the Raiders now have the No. 1 overall pick, coming off a national championship and a Heisman-winning season by quarterback Fernando Mendoza.And yes, it’s easy to picture schedule makers convincing themselves that “Mahomes vs. the next big thing” sounds like compelling television.But let’s be honest here: the Raiders are still a long way from being legitimate contenders.Even if the organization insists Mendoza won’t start immediately, it’s hard to imagine that holding through the middle of the season if Las Vegas is sitting near the bottom of the AFC West yet again. At some point, the rookie is probably going to play.The NFL may see that as intrigue, but this rivalry simply doesn’t carry the same weight it once did. The matchup feels much more like a regional afternoon game than a standalone national showcase.There’s just nothing about this matchup that screams must-watch television.The Cardinals remain one of the league’s more directionless franchises, and even the presence of Mahomes isn’t enough to elevate this into a compelling standalone game.This should be one of those clean, simple, noon kickoffs where the Chiefs handle business and move on.Especially with the game in Kansas City, there’s little reason for the NFL to force this onto a national stage when there are far more intriguing matchups available across the schedule.The Jets had a strong draft. There’s talent on the roster. Defensively, there are pieces to like — but until the quarterback situation changes, this still doesn’t feel like a marquee matchup.Nobody is circling Geno Smith versus Mahomes as one of the defining games of the season.The Chiefs already have enough high-level opponents on the schedule to fill the primetime slate. Kansas City versus the Jets feels much more like a game fans casually flip to on a Sunday afternoon rather than one they plan their entire night around.Get in. Get out. Move on.4. Miami Dolphins on the roadA few years ago, this would’ve absolutely been a primetime matchup.Not anymore.The Dolphins are entering what feels like a transitional phase offensively. The additions of Malik Willis at quarterback and a strong running game may make them competitive at times, but the explosive identity that once made Miami dangerous appears to be fading.With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer leading the offense, this simply doesn’t carry the same electricity it once did.There’s no question the Dolphins still have some talented players. But as currently constructed, this doesn’t feel like a game worthy of a national standalone window.Kansas City has better matchups.Honorable mention: Atlanta Falcons on the roadThe Falcons were close to making the official list.There’s enough talent there to become interesting eventually, but it still doesn’t quite feel like a matchup that demands the primetime stage — at least not yet.BottomlineThe Chiefs are still going to live in primetime because Mahomes guarantees eyeballs. That part isn’t changing anytime soon.But the NFL schedule works best when primetime games actually feel big.Kansas City has several matchups this season that deserve the national spotlight. These four simply don’t feel like they belong in that category.
Takes mentioned in this episode
- Travis Kelce player · positive
“That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Listing key players/coaches on the Chiefs roster.
- Andy Reid player · positive
“That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Reid is mentioned as a key figure for the Chiefs' success/relevance.
- Patrick Mahomes player · positive
“even coming off the worst season of the era featuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs are still going to dominate the national spotlight. That's what happens when you still have Mahomes”
Mahomes' presence alone guarantees the Chiefs national spotlight and viewer interest despite a disappointing season.
- Andy Reid coach · positive
“even coming off the worst season of the era featuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, the Kansas City Chiefs are still going to dominate the national spotlight. That's what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Reid's presence as head coach is cited as a key reason the Chiefs remain a dominant franchise despite poor recent performance.
- Travis Kelce player · positive
“That's what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Kelce is listed among the elite talent that keeps the Chiefs as a dominant franchise.
- Chris Jones player · positive
“That's what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Jones is listed among the elite talent that keeps the Chiefs as a dominant franchise.
- Travis Kelce player · positive
“That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kel told the league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field.”
Kelce is mentioned as a key player for the Chiefs who helps maintain their status as must-see TV.
- Andy Reid player · neutral
“Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026.”
Mention of Reid as part of the Chiefs' core leadership.
- Kansas City Chiefs team · positive
“the Kansas City Chiefs are still going to dominate the national spotlight.”
The team's continued relevance and ability to draw viewership.
- Chris Jones player · positive
“That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Listing key players/coaches on the Chiefs roster.
- Las Vegas Raiders team · negative
“the Raiders are still a long way from being legitimate contenders.”
Analysis of the Raiders' current state and lack of competitiveness.
- Arizona Cardinals team · negative
“The Cardinals remain one of the league’s more directionless franchises.”
Criticism of the team's lack of direction.
- New York Jets team · neutral
“until the quarterback situation changes, this still doesn’t feel like a marquee matchup.”
Discussion of the Jets' draft and roster talent vs. QB issues.
- Miami Dolphins team · negative
“The Dolphins are entering what feels like a transitional phase offensively.”
Analysis of the Dolphins' fading explosive identity and transition.
- Atlanta Falcons team · neutral
“There’s enough talent there to become interesting eventually, but it doesn’t quite feel like a matchup that demands the primetime stage.”
Honorable mention of the Falcons as a potential future interest.
- Patrick Mahomes player · positive
“the league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field.”
The speaker discusses how Mahomes' presence guarantees viewership for the Chiefs.
- Kansas City Chiefs team · positive
“Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026.”
Line 3
- Patrick Mahomes player · positive
“the league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field.”
Discussion of Mahomes' ability to draw national attention and viewership.
- Geno Smith player · neutral
“Nobody is circling Geno Smith versus Mahomes as one of the defining games of the season.”
Comparison of players in a matchup against the Chiefs.
- Malik Willis player · positive
“The additions of Malik Willis at quarterback and a strong running game may make them competitive at times.”
Mention of new QB addition for the Dolphins.
- Tyreek Hill player · neutral
“With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer leading the offense, this simply doesn’t carry the same electricity.”
Discussion of the Dolphins' loss of offensive identity without key players.
- Jaylen Waddle player · neutral
“With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer leading the offense, this simply doesn’t carry the same electricity.”
Discussion of the Dolphins' loss of offensive identity without key players.
- Patrick Mahomes player · positive
“the league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field.”
The speaker discusses how Patrick Mahomes' presence guarantees viewership for the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Patrick Mahomes player · positive
“The league knows viewers will tune in anytime Mahomes is on the field. The reality is simple: the Chiefs remain must-see television.”
Line 4-5
- Kansas City Chiefs team · positive
“Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026.”
Despite poor recent record, the Chiefs are expected to be Super Bowl contenders due to their star talent.
- Andy Reid player · positive
“Even after a disappointing 6-11 season, Kansas City can still be expected to contend for the Super Bowl heading into 2026.”
The speaker notes that despite a poor previous season, the Chiefs are still considered contenders.
- Chris Jones player · positive
“That’s what happens when you still have Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Reid attached to your franchise.”
Jones is listed as one of the core players/coaches who keep the Chiefs a relevant team.
- New York Jets team · negative
“The Jets had a strong draft. There's talent on the roster. Defensively, there are pieces to like — but until the quarterback situation changes, this still doesn't feel like a marquee matchup.”
Jets have talent but quarterback uncertainty prevents them from being a marquee matchup.
- Arizona Cardinals team · negative
“The Cardinals remain one of the league's more directionless franchises, and even the presence of Mahomes isn't enough to elevate this into a compelling standalone game.”
Cardinals are described as directionless and unable to create compelling matchups even against elite opponents.
- Miami Dolphins team · negative
“The Dolphins are entering what feels like a transitional phase offensively. The additions of Malik Willis at quarterback and a strong running game may make them competitive at times, but the explosive identity that once made Miami dangerous appears to be fading.”
Dolphins are in transition and losing their explosive offensive identity despite some talent.