Chiefs Training Camp Opens Amid Negative ‘Overreaction’ on AFC West Dominance

The Kansas City Chiefs open training camp on Tuesday armed with a level of comfortable confidence in this sense: They have had their way with the AFC West for the past nine seasons, winning the division nine straight times.

And some think that the dominance will be coming to an end in 2025, largely due to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss, plus the roster “weaknesses” that some think will end Kansas City’s dynasty.

But we aren’t so quick to brush off the Chiefs, who just one game ago were in line to be crowned as one of the best teams ever. And as it turns out, ESPN’s Dan Graziano isn’t about to discount the Chiefs either.

“As wobbly as the Chiefs looked last season, they still won 15 games in the regular season and 17 total,” Graziano writes. “They finished four games ahead of the Chargers and five ahead of the Broncos in spite of conceding the final game of the season in Denver by sitting their starters. That’s a ton of ground for those teams to make up, even if they both have improved their rosters. Especially because the Chiefs probably got better, too!

“A healthy running back Isiah Pacheco and a slimmed-down tight end Travis Kelce help round out a skill group determined to avenge that embarrassing Super Bowl loss. The Chiefs aren’t giving this division up easily.’

With the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders all expected to improve significantly, the Chiefs won’t likely win the division at a canter as they did last season, but that should still be favorites, right?

Plus, until we see the Chiefs “actually” lose the division crown, it will be as you were in the AFC West.

Kansas City (we think) won’t just fall away into the abyss in 2025, the franchise still has one of the best head coach/quarterback duos, plus a healthy receiver and running back room, coupled with what will be a top defense under Steve Spagnuolo.

So, while some think the Chiefs will succumb to their rivals, but like Graziano, we don’t believe Kansas City will be rolling over any time soon.