Chiefs’ 2026 Season: Depth Woes, New Offensive Looks, and Xavier Worthy’s Hidden Potential

The Kansas City Chiefs are just days away from kicking off the 2026 NFL season against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. Before the lights go on, three things keep popping up in my head: the line’s thinning depth, an offensive philosophy that’s quietly changing, and a receiver who’s flying under the radar.

First, the line. All winter we heard the usual chatter about the Chiefs’ wide‑receiver depth, but the real alarm bell started ringing in preseason. Coach Andy Reid’s staff kept shuffling tackles Jaylon Moore and Kahlil Benson inside, even when right guard Trey Smith was sidelined with a back issue. It was a clear sign they weren’t comfortable with the backups they had.

In late August the Chiefs tried to patch things up by grabbing New York Giants guard Joshua Ezeudu. The move felt like a stop‑gap, and, honestly, it didn’t solve the larger problem. Left tackle Josh Simmons is still nursing a back injury and hasn’t been seen in practice. That leaves the Chiefs scrambling for a solution before Week 1.

Enter the Baltimore Ravens’ left tackle Diego Pounds, who arrived in a trade. He’s a capable player, but he’s basically starting from scratch with a new playbook and a new locker room. If Simmons can’t return quickly, you’ll likely see Moore sliding to left tackle and Benson trying his hand at right tackle – a scenario that would make him only the second undrafted rookie tackle to start Week 1 of his first season since 2000, according to TruMedia.

General manager Brett Veach hinted months ago that a first‑round right‑tackle pick would be a smokescreen, but life moved fast. With Patrick Mahomes coming back from December knee surgery, protecting the quarterback becomes an even bigger priority. The depth issue on the O‑line is now the Chiefs’ most pressing concern heading into the season.

Second, the offensive style. A quick look at camp drills showed Reid’s unit taking more snaps from under center than they have in recent years. The numbers back that up: the Chiefs ran under‑center on roughly 20 % of their plays in 2025, but that rose to just over 31 % in the three preseason games.

The shift appears linked to the desire to get the most out of free‑agent running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker thrives when the ball is handed off from under center – his vision and burst are best displayed in that setting. By moving the offense away from a shotgun‑heavy attack, Kansas City hopes to give him more three‑down opportunities and open up play‑action play‑calling.

It’s unlikely the Chiefs will finish among the league leaders in under‑center usage, especially now that other teams are chasing the Rams’ recent success with that approach. Still, the move feels intentional, a way to lean into the strengths of the roster they have on hand.

Third, a player many aren’t talking about. Xavier Worthy – the third‑year wide receiver – could be the surprise of the year. I asked Coach Reid about Worthy after the 2025 combine, and he gushed, “He’s not the biggest, but he runs crossing routes like a rocket. He’s 100 mph on the field.” That enthusiasm set up expectations for a breakout 2025 campaign, but a labrum tear in the season‑opener against Travis Kelce derailed things.

Worthy bounced back, but Reid trimmed his route tree to protect him from further injury. Fast‑forward to this summer: Worthy was the MVP of the Chiefs’ practice sessions, flashing the same elite speed that once had everyone talking. He’s also benefitting from a more detail‑oriented receivers coach, Chad O’Shea, who’s helped him fine‑tune his technique.

Injuries remain the biggest question mark. Worthy missed most of training camp after re‑injuring his shoulder, but he’s expected to be 100 % for Week 1. At 5‑foot‑11 and 165 pounds, he’s not a physically imposing threat, yet his high school and college career showed he’s hardly injury‑prone. Betting markets currently peg his season total around 650 receiving yards – lower than even Travis Kelce’s projection.

If he gets his full route tree back and stays healthy, I think those numbers are easily beatable. The Chiefs have a knack for letting talent blossom when given the chance, and Worthy could be the spark that adds a new dimension to their passing attack.

So, as the Chiefs head into their season opener, keep an eye on three things: the evolving depth chart of the offensive line, the growing emphasis on under‑center plays to showcase Kenneth Walker III, and Xavier Worthy’s quest for a 1,000‑yard season. The storylines are set – now we just have to watch them unfold.