The Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have established themselves as a dominant force in the AFC, reaching seven straight AFC Championship games and securing three Super Bowl titles during this remarkable run. However, the Los Angeles Chargers are emerging as a potential contender ready to disrupt this dominance in the coming NFL season.
NFL analyst Joe Fortenbaugh has highlighted that Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Chargers, is actively shaping a formidable team that could challenge the Chiefs’ longstanding supremacy. According to Fortenbaugh, Harbaugh’s approach is about creating a physically imposing squad capable of competing directly with Mahomes’ Chiefs.
Jim Harbaugh’s Proven Ability to Build Competitive Teams
Fortenbaugh pointed to Harbaugh’s previous success with the San Francisco 49ers as evidence of his capability to transform a team’s fortunes rapidly. When Harbaugh took over the 49ers, they had just six wins under their prior coach, Mike Singletary. Within two years, Harbaugh led them to the NFC Championship and eventually a Super Bowl appearance, despite losing the final games.
“But look at what he did in San Francisco,” Fortenbaugh said. “He came in, it was a six-win team under Mike Singletary. The next year, they’re in the NFC championship game. The next year they’re in the Super Bowl. Lost both those games, but the guy builds a program.”
He emphasized that the Chargers are developing a strong running game and a powerful presence in the trenches, which will enable them to compete head-to-head with the Chiefs.
“The team’s on the rise. They’re gonna be able to run the football. They’re able to be a beast in the trenches. They’re gonna be able to go toe to toe with the Chiefs team. They went toe to toe with last year, which leads me back to the Chiefs.”
Chiefs Face the Physical Toll of Sustained Success
Despite the Chiefs’ recent loss in the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, they remain a top contender. However, Fortenbaugh suggests that the continuous demands of reaching the Super Bowl have taken a physical toll on the team.
“Plenty of indicators say they’re heading back,” Fortenbaugh added. “When they lost that game to the Eagles in the Super Bowl last year, how many guys told you afterwards how tired they were? You know, they’ve been to the Super Bowl how many years in a row? Four of the last five years they’ve been to the Super Bowl. You can’t keep that up. It takes its toll on your body.”
This wear and tear could potentially create openings for rivals like the Chargers, who are increasing their competitiveness under Harbaugh’s leadership.
Areas Where the Chiefs Must Improve Amidst Intense Competition
NFL analyst Nick Wright has also weighed in on the Chiefs’ offseason efforts, pointing out that while they remain a dominant NFL franchise, there is a notable weakness in their running game that opponents could exploit.
Wright mentioned that the Chiefs have struggled to produce a consistent 1,000-yard rusher since Patrick Mahomes joined the team, which could hinder their offensive balance moving forward.
“Can we have an excellent running game? I thought Isiah Pacheco could be that last year,” Wright said. “Pacheco was a great story as a seventh-rounder, an overachiever, great. Broke his leg, so you can’t hold that against him, and then when he came back, he just wasn’t quite the same.”
“Only the New York Jets have a longer streak of not having a 1,000-yard rusher. Since Patrick Mahomes has been there, the Chiefs’ leading rusher has had less than 930 yards every year and less than 600 yards three times. The average is 740. I would just like a running game the other team has to pay attention to.”
Improving this aspect of the offense will be crucial if the Chiefs want to maintain their level of success against increasingly competitive AFC teams.
Implications for the 2025 NFL Season and AFC Outlook
The upcoming NFL season promises intense competition in the AFC as the Chargers, under Jim Harbaugh’s guidance, look poised to challenge Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs more aggressively than ever before. With Harbaugh’s track record of quickly building competitive squads and the Chargers’ emphasis on physicality and a balanced attack, the Chiefs may face their toughest AFC challenge yet.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs must address key vulnerabilities, such as their running game, to sustain their dominance. The physical toll of repeated Super Bowl appearances could create an opportunity for challengers like the Chargers to rise. How both teams adapt and respond will be crucial in shaping the AFC’s balance of power in 2025 and beyond.