Chiefs Shock Finale Reveals Glimpses of Hope After a Brutal Season Ending
The Kansas City Chiefs closed their 2025 season in frustrating fashion, falling 14–12 to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. It was Kansas City’s sixth straight loss, a sobering end that locked in the ninth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Yet beneath the disappointment, the season finale offered something the Chiefs badly needed: clarity — and a glimpse of hope heading into 2026.
One of the most encouraging signs came from rookie running back Brashard Smith. Throughout most of the season, Smith’s opportunities were limited, often confined to garbage-time snaps or situational roles behind veterans Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco. When he did appear earlier in the year, it was rarely as a traditional ball carrier. Instead, his usage felt cautious, almost reluctant.
That changed in Week 18. Given the start against Las Vegas, Smith finally had a chance to show what he could do with a meaningful workload. He finished as the Chiefs’ leading rusher, gaining 56 yards on 12 carries while displaying patience, vision, and sharp cutbacks. Four of his runs went for at least eight yards, and his decisiveness stood out from the opening drive. While rookie growing pains are expected, Smith’s performance suggested his limited usage earlier in the season may have been more about opportunity than ability.
The offensive line also offered hints about the Chiefs’ evolving plans. The starting unit featured a new face at right guard, with rookie Hunter Nourzad stepping in for Mike Caliendo. Caliendo has served as Kansas City’s primary backup at both guard spots since Nick Allegretti departed in free agency after the 2023 season, but across multiple starts, he has struggled to inspire the same confidence. Nourzad’s inclusion in the finale — after previously being used as a sixth lineman in short-yardage packages — felt like a signal that the coaching staff is reassessing long-term options on the interior line.
Defensively, the secondary was the brightest area of the field, particularly among players under contract beyond this season. Rookie cornerback Nohl Williams continued his steady rise, recording two pass breakups in his fourth consecutive start. His composure and physicality have been noticeable, especially for a first-year player learning on the fly.
Chiefs Shock Finale Highlights Emerging Talent and Tough Decisions Ahead for 2026
Even more encouraging was the late-season resurgence of Kristian Fulton. After spending much of the year sidelined, Fulton finished the season strong, giving the Chiefs and their fans reason to believe he could play a meaningful role in 2026. Over the final three games, Fulton consistently made plays on the ball, highlighted by multiple pass breakups against Denver and Las Vegas. In a secondary facing looming free agency questions — with Jaylen Watson and Bryan Cook set to hit the open market — Fulton’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.
The safety group also made its presence felt. Second-year safety Jaden Hicks delivered a key play in the third quarter, ranging across the field to break up a deep throw near the back corner of the end zone. Meanwhile, Chamarri Conner set the tone early, jumping a route on Raiders quarterback Kenny Pickett’s first dropback and securing his first interception of the season — the fourth of his career.
The loss itself was emblematic of Kansas City’s difficult season: narrow margins, missed opportunities, and just enough mistakes to come up short. But unlike earlier defeats, this one came with tangible takeaways. Young players stepped into larger roles, others validated their late-season momentum, and the coaching staff appeared willing to experiment rather than simply endure the finale.
The Chiefs may have ended 2025 on a six-game skid, but the finale against Las Vegas offered more than just another mark in the loss column. It provided answers about who might matter most moving forward — and why, despite the standings, hope truly is here as Kansas City turns its focus toward a pivotal offseason and the reset of 2026.
