Raiders Rumors: 'A Lot of Momentum Building' For Lions' Ben Johnson to Be Hired as HC
Jan 15, 2025
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson of the Detroit Lions looks on before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The buzz surrounding Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a head coaching candidate is growing louder ahead of the divisional round.
There is "a lot of momentum building" between Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching vacancy, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal.
A lot of momentum building for Ben Johnson & @Raiders.
Bonsignore has previously described Johnson and former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as "favorites to land the job."
Johnson and the Lions are preparing to play the visiting Washington Commanders with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line Saturday.
Johnson's offense finished the 2024 season having averaged 409.5 total yards per game, good for second in the NFL. The unit also ranked second with 272.9 passing yards per game and sixth with 146.4 rushing yards per contest.
The Raiders offense found itself in the opposite position as neither Gardner Minshew II nor Aidan O'Connell panned out as a long-term option in 2024. Las Vegas finished the campaign ranked 27th in average total offensive yards per game and 32nd in average rushing yards.
Targeting a coordinator whose unit has ranked top-four in the NFL in total offense for three straight regular seasons makes sense as a replacement for former head coach Antonio Pierce.
Tom Brady could have an influence on which direction the Raiders ultimately take with the opening. The former quarterback is expected to "lead the charge" in the franchise's search for a new head coach, according to Bonsignore.
There is also the chance the Raiders could miss out on the coordinator who is reportedly in high demand this head coaching cycle. Johnson has also interviewed with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
NBC Sports' Mike Florio recently reported Johnson will only consider going somewhere he can be "on the same page with the front office."
The Raiders have not yet hired a general manager. The opportunity to have a say in who the franchise selects to replace Tom Telesco could be making the position in Las Vegas look more attractive to Johnson.
Carroll also seems interested in the position, given that he spent "most of Monday afternoon" interviewing for the job in Las Vegas, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has indicated he is interested in the job opening, per Bonsignore, but the Raiders are not currently interested, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.
NFL Exec: Allen, Lamar, Burrow Can Never Be at Mahomes' Level Without Super Bowl Ring
Jan 14, 2025
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills and Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs embrace after a game at Highmark Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
The AFC is loaded with elite quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, among others.
But, to hear one Super Bowl-winning league executive tell it, they are all chasing Patrick Mahomes in large part because of the Kansas City Chiefs' Lombardi Trophies.
"It is all about rings for the QBs," the executive said in a Tuesday story by Jeff Howe of The Athletic. "To be considered one of the greats, you need at least one (Super Bowl victory) on your resume to be in that elite group. Allen, Lamar and Burrow are outstanding, but without a ring—or two or three—they'll never approach the level of Brady and Mahomes."
Jackson, Allen and Burrow are all chasing their first title, although they've all come close.
Burrow led the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl during the 2021 season but lost to the Los Angeles Rams. Allen's Buffalo Bills and Jackson's Baltimore Ravens have also advanced to the AFC Championship Game during the last five seasons with Baltimore's appearance coming last year.
By comparison, Mahomes has three Super Bowl titles and four Super Bowl appearances. What's more, he has never failed to reach at least the AFC Championship Game since taking over as the full-time starter during the 2018 campaign.
He has also been a roadblock for the other signal-callers.
Allen's Bills lost to the Chiefs in the playoffs of the 2020, 2021 and 2023 seasons, while Jackson's Ravens were eliminated by Mahomes and Co. in last season's AFC Championship Game.
While Burrow defeated the Chiefs to reach the Super Bowl, Kansas City got revenge in the AFC Championship Game the following season. The Chiefs have also beaten the Bengals in each of the last two regular seasons.
Until the other quarterbacks start stacking up rings to go with their impressive individual performances, Mahomes will remain the gold standard of comparison.
Raiders Rumors: Steve Spagnuolo 'One to Watch' for HC Due to 'Tom Brady's Respect'
Jan 14, 2025
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 27: Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the Kansas City Chiefs stands on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, at Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
As the Las Vegas Raiders continue their search for a new head coach, a candidate who has a history with new partial owner Tom Brady reportedly could have the inside track for the job.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that he's "heard that Tom Brady's respect for Steve Spagnuolo, having competed against him, could make the [Kansas City Chiefs' defensive coordinator] one to watch in Las Vegas."
Before arriving to Kansas City in 2019, Spagnuolo made a name for himself as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants when they toppled Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII in 2007. Brady got his revenge in 2020 when he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, earning the legendary quarterback his seventh and final championship ring.
Brady, who purchased a five percent stake in the Raiders this season, will be hoping to usher in a new era in Las Vegas. Breer reported on Monday that his influence had already been felt when the team chose to part ways with first-year head coach Antonio Pierce.
"It's been well established that Brady wasn't wild about the way things operated with Antonio Pierce, which is one reason why Pierce isn't there anymore," Breer stated.
Despite Brady's affinity for Spagnuolo, it should be noted that his previous stints as a head coach didn't go very well. Spagnoulo was head coach of the St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2011 and served as interim head coach of the Giants in 2017, compiling a career record of 11-41.
Chiefs' Chris Jones, Xavier Worthy, Creed Humphrey Talk Super Bowl in B/R Interview
Jan 14, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 21: Creed Humphrey #52 of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks with Chris Jones #95 against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The MVP race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen? Thrilling.
Saquon Barkley's chase for the single-season rushing record? Incredible.
The Detroit Lions' dominance while clinching the NFC's No. 1 seed? Unforgettable.
But throughout all the memorable moments and performances, there has been one overarching storyline during the 2024 NFL season. And that is the Kansas City Chiefs' attempt to become the first team in league history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Kansas City is a modern-day dynasty and not just because of the two straight Lombardi Trophies. It has been to six straight AFC Championship Games and four of the last five Super Bowls, winning three of them, which cemented Patrick Mahomes' place as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history regardless of what happens for the rest of his career.
But a chance at the football immortality that three straight titles would bring creates new pressure, and it is up to veterans like defensive tackle Chris Jones and center Creed Humphrey to prepare young players like wide receiver Xavier Worthy who haven't yet experienced the postseason gauntlet.
"One of the big messages is don't take this time for granted," Humphrey told Bleacher Report. "We're in the middle of chasing history, and for a guy like X it'll be his first time getting a Super Bowl ring. I still remember my first Super Bowl ring and how memorable that moment was. I remember every detail of that game. It's a chance to etch your name into history, so make sure you're not taking this time for granted. Show up to work with a purpose every day and make sure you're improving every day."
Jones echoed those sentiments.
"I can add onto what Creed said," the defensive tackle said. "Don't take this time for granted. I know we've had a while off. It gives us an opportunity to get healthy and reset and refocus and take advantage of this time. I've been in this position before where we lost the first game and then again when we've also made it all the way to the Super Bowl and done everything the right way. So I've seen both sides of this situation. Most importantly, take care of yourself and do whatever you have to do to be mentally and physically ready since the game is a little faster."
The postseason may be a new experience for Worthy in particular, but so was his entire rookie season as he provided a much-needed lift for the Chiefs while fellow wide receivers Rashee Rice, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, Mecole Hardman and Skyy Moore dealt with various injuries.
Those injuries necessitated the trade for DeAndre Hopkins but also put more on Worthy's plate as the No. 28 overall pick of the draft. While he was expected to be an immediate deep-ball threat because of his speed, the elevated role increased his responsibilities to include underneath routes, bubble screens and being part of the running game.
The end result was 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns to go with 104 yards and three scores on the ground as he played all 17 games. Only Travis Kelce had more receiving yards on the team, and the rookie wasted no time announcing his presence with two touchdowns in the season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens.
One of those scores was Kansas City's first touchdown of the season.
"My first game and first touchdown," Worthy said when asked about his most memorable moment of his first NFL year. "Nothing can beat that, just having the opportunity at Arrowhead and hearing the crowd react. It was the first score for the Chiefs for the year, so just having the opportunity to do that and at home for the defending Super Bowl champs was amazing."
That roar of the crowd is nothing new for Jones, who has been with the Chiefs since 2016 and was once again a leader for a defensive unit that finished fourth in the league in points allowed and ninth in yards allowed.
Jones made his sixth straight Pro Bowl and third straight All-Pro First Team with 37 tackles, five sacks and one forced fumble. His ability to generate pressure up the middle to bother the vision of quarterbacks, stuff the run and draw double teams to open up blitzing lanes for his teammates was a major reason the defense allowed fewer than 20 points in five straight games from Weeks 13-17 to clinch the No. 1 seed.
So what will that defense have to do to take home another Lombardi Trophy with so many star quarterbacks remaining in the AFC playoffs in Jackson, Allen and its next opponent, C.J. Stroud?
"Most importantly, affecting the quarterback and getting turnovers," Jones said. "I think if we continue to do that at a high level we can dictate the game. If we affect the quarterback, make him run the ball, slow the game down and get the ball back to Patrick and the offense, then we'll be able to score more and continue to manage the game."
Jones was not the only anchor in the middle who received recognition for the Chiefs this year.
He and Humphrey were both named to the All-Pro First Team, which marked the first time for the center who also made his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Humphrey appeared in all 17 games as one of the offensive leaders who protects Mahomes.
While the accolades are welcome, recognition from one's peers can often mean the most. And Jones, Humphrey and left guard Joe Thuney all received that as well when they were named to the Players' All-Pro Team by the NFLPA.
It’s that time...
The 3rd annual Players’ All-Pro team is here—chosen by the ones who know the game best. 💯🔥 Who made the list? Let’s find out. 👀
"It's an honor," Humphrey said. "That it is voted on by the players is really cool. It's validating for the work that I put in this year, so I'm excited about it. I'm also pumped for the other guys who got it too in Chris and Joe. Just two stud players who have been doing so well in this league for a long time. To have my name with them like that is really cool."
As for Jones, he was fired up for his teammates but also looking ahead at the ultimate goal.
"They're a year late on getting Creed and Joe the All-Pro nods," the defensive tackle said. "Those guys have been stellar. And we're able to compete against each other during training camp, and you're able to see why they were voted on by their peers. That's a respect level, how much respect they've developed throughout this league. I'm super excited they got that recognition.
For me, it's a small victory. I think we've got bigger fish to fry. Pro Bowl, All-Pro, that's all amazing. But Super Bowl is where my mind is at. But to be voted like that by my peers, that's a lot of respect and I understand that and appreciate that."
Perhaps the only downside to always playing in the Super Bowl for the Chiefs players is they don't get to see the commercials in real time like the rest of America.
Yet Jones, Humphrey and Worthy found a way around that this year by partnering with Doritos for its Crash the Super Bowl campaign. Doritos has always been known for its memorable Super Bowl commercials, but it challenged the fans this season by asking creators to submit their own commercials.
The trio of Chiefs players got a sneak peek at the three top ads that will air as the playoffs continue. Fans can vote on the winner by visiting DoritosCrash.com.
Worthy, who called partnering with Doritos a "no-brainer," praised "the production and how creative they got doing it with phones and how realistic they made it seem. Also how funny they all were. And having fun with my teammates. At the end of the day, it's about a brotherhood. So doing it with the guys made it that much more fun."
Jones and Humphrey were also impressed and didn't hesitate to partner with a company they know quite well.
"Growing up, Doritos were always in my pantry," Humphrey said. "When the opportunity came, it felt like a no-brainer for me. It's a product I'm familiar with and have enjoyed my entire life. Growing up, watching Super Bowls, I remember how good the Doritos commercials were. Just having the chance to get a sneak peek at some of the ads was really cool."
🥁Drum roll please🥁
Introducing our semi-finalists for Crash the Super Bowl 2025. All of these ads were created by YOU - but there can only be ONE winner 🫡 Visit https://t.co/msPtjoWLPl to watch all the submissions and let us know which one is your favorite ⬇️ #DoritosCrashpic.twitter.com/yzVf9To4Lk
Jones added that, "this opportunity was amazing. When I got the email, I was ecstatic about it. The most important commercials are the Super Bowl commercials, they get remembered for decades. I've always had love for Doritos and their Super Bowl commercials, so to be a part of it with the guys on my team was exciting."
The only question now is whether America will be watching the Chiefs in the Super Bowl again when the ads runs.
While the AFC is down to four teams and the Chiefs have home-field advantage, advancing to the sport's biggest stage will be anything but easy with the quarterbacks standing in the way. Kansas City first has to deal with Stroud and the Houston Texans with either Allen's Buffalo Bills or Jackson's Ravens waiting in the AFC Championship Game.
The Ravens would be an AFC Championship Game rematch, while the Bills would be another playoff chapter in the rivalry that saw Kansas City eliminate them during the 2020, 2021 and 2023 campaigns.
Worthy said the Chiefs will reach the Super Bowl again "if we just go out there and be us."
So did Jones, adding that if "we play the game the right way on all three phases and play as a unit, the only team that can really beat us is ourselves."
And Humphrey is looking for complete games from all aspects.
"If we just play our brand of football," the center said. "Wreaking havoc on defense, putting up touchdowns on offense and just playing unselfish ball and playing the game the right way. All three phases playing together, if we do that we'll win the Super Bowl."
The formula has consistently worked throughout the last six years, so there is no reason to change it now.
Report: Raiders Target Packers' Jon-Eric Sullivan, Bucs' John Spytek for GM Role
Jan 14, 2025
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 22: Las Vegas Raiders helmets are seen before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Allegiant Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders requested to interview Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as part of their general manager search, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant general manager John Spytek will also interview with Las Vegas.
Sullivan joined the Packers full time in 2004, working first as an area scout and steadily moving up the ladder. He became the director of scouting in 2016 and was named a co-director of player personnel in 2018. He assumed his current role in 2022.
Spytek is in his second season as Tampa Bay's assistant GM, having first arrived in 2016. He was the Bucs' vice president of player personnel for two years before becoming the second in command behind general manager Jason Licht.
The MMQB's Albert Breer included both Sullivan and Spytek in a list of likely future GMs working in NFL front offices.
He credited Spytek and Tampa Bay's front office for having "turned one of the oldest rosters in the league into one of the youngest, without falling off—and with multiple head coaches and quarterbacks at the helm."
Breer also offered insight into Sullivan's contributions in Green Bay.
"A football lifer, as the son of long-time NFL receivers coach Jerry Sullivan (who still works with Justin Jefferson), Jon-Eric Sullivan has proven himself an exceptional evaluator, a strong link between scouting and coaching and a valuable safety net for Gutekunst on anything in the draft or free agency," he wrote.
"Sullivan's been involved in the cap too, had a voice in the coaching search that landed Matt LaFleur and even has been looped in on things like player discipline and strength-and-conditioning. As an anecdote, he happened to be the scout who first put Jordan Love on Gutekunst's radar."
Being able to identify quarterback talent would be very helpful for the Raiders.
Las Vegas is all but guaranteed to have a new starting quarterback in 2025 and the franchise could look to address that need through the draft with a dearth of good options available in free agency.
The Raiders have the No. 6 overall pick, which means they'll need to trade up if they want to get one of the top two signal-callers (Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders) on the board. Absent that, it will be imperative for the franchise to either find a QB who's worth reaching for in the Top 10 or offers hidden value in a later round.
NFL Exec: Sean Payton Won't 'Let Anyone Get in the Way of' What He Needs for Broncos
Jan 13, 2025
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos takes the field before the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos were one of the best stories in the NFL this past season, going 10-7 and reaching the playoffs in Sean Payton's second year at the helm.
The future looks bright, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix exceeding expectations. The Broncos could still use some more playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, however, and at least one executive believes Payton will get the types of players he desires this offseason.
"Sean will have a clear vision of exactly what he needs, and he will not let anyone get in the way of that," the executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando.
"If they had a tight end or runner that could separate and win against man coverage, they would be really tough to deal with," another executive added.
Denver's weakness this season was at the skill positions on offense. Javonte Williams led the run game with 513 yards and four touchdowns. Courtland Sutton had a strong season at wide receiver, posting 81 catches for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns, but Marvin Mims Jr. was the next most productive wideout and had mediocre numbers (39 catches for 503 yards and six touchdowns). None of the team's tight ends exceeded 200 receiving yards.
Nix has proven to be the perfect fit for Payton's system, but he needs playmakers. Expect Payton to find a way to get him some.
Travis Kelce: It Was 'Dream Come True' to Work With Adam Sandler in 'Happy Gilmore 2'
Jan 13, 2025
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 25: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 25, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce is continually living his football dreams as the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end pursues a fourth Super Bowl, but he had the chance to fulfill another dream off the field recently.
Kelce will be a part of the upcoming Happy Gilmore sequel starring Adam Sandler. On The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Kelce said working with Sandler was a "dream come true."
"I'll tell you what man, that was a dream come true," he said. "I thought SNL was going to be the peak of my acting and showman or entertainment career. Working with Happy Gilmore himself, the Sandman and Happy Productions, it was off the chain, man. They're so professional and yet so fun to work with. I felt like I was working with the Andy Reid of the acting world. He is every bit as cool off the screen as he is on the screen."
"Working with Adam Sandler was a dream come true..
Fans have yet to see Kelce on the big screen, but his eccentric personality indicates that he'll thrive in a comedy alongside Sandler.
As fans await the arrival of Happy Gilmore 2, they can watch Kelce in his main profession. The Chiefs, who secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and received a first-round bye, will match up with the Houston Texans in the divisional round on Saturday as they look to get one step closer to a third consecutive championship.
Photo: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Wife Brittany Announce Birth of Daughter Golden Raye
Jan 13, 2025
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs kisses wife Brittany Mahomes prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, announced the birth of their third child.
The Mahomes family revealed the news of their new daughter, Golden Raye, in an Instagram post on Monday.
Best use of a bye week: Patrick and Brittany Mahomes have welcomed their third child — Golden Raye. pic.twitter.com/zwsdLRonZ7
Mahomes made sure to praise his wife after the birth, saying Tuesday that "she crushed it," via TMZ Sports.
"It's a special moment that a lot of dads and moms have experienced, and you don't forget about that stuff," he added.
Patrick and Brittany initially met in high school and were eventually married roughly a decade later. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child in Feb. 2021 and their second in Nov. 2022, announcing the news that they were expecting a third on July 12.
The Chiefs have remained immensely successful with the signal-caller under center, as they're preparing for another playoff run after ending the regular season with a 15-2 record. In 16 starts, he completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 3,928 yards and 26 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions.
As the 29-year-old attempts to help Kansas City capture a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, his family grew a little larger on Sunday.
Broncos' Bo Nix Played Through Fractured Back Injury Since Raiders Game in Week 12
Jan 13, 2025
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 12: Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoffs at Highmark Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix didn't miss a snap during the 2024 season despite being banged up for months.
During Monday's exit interviews following Denver's loss to the Buffalo Bills in Sunday's AFC Wild Card Game, Nix revealed to reporters that he had been playing through three transverse process fractures, which he suffered in a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov. 24.
Bo Nix said he played with three transverse process fractures in back during game at Raiders Nov 24. Didn’t miss a snap. #9sportspic.twitter.com/V4vL6KN79K
Nix downplayed the accomplishment of playing through the injury, saying that "a lot of guys play with a lot of those kinds of things."
The 2024 No. 12 pick helped spearhead a massive turnaround in Denver, as the team went 10-7 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2015. In Sunday's game against the Bills, Nix threw for 144 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-22 passing and had a team-high 43 rushing yards as the Broncos suffered a 31-7 loss.
Still, Nix has a lot to be proud of after his first year in the NFL. He finished the season ranked sixth in the league with 29 touchdowns and 12th with 3,775 yards while throwing 12 interceptions. He also added 430 rushing yards and four more scores.
Nix will need the Broncos to add more talent around him if they want to continue building on the success of the 2024 campaign. In its latest mock draft, B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted that Denver would select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 21 pick.
A healthy Nix with more weapons on offense could put the Broncos in a position to contend for another playoff spot and potentially make a deeper run in 2025 and beyond.
Video: Travis Kelce Says Chiefs Have Heard Criticism from Rex Ryan Entering Playoffs
Jan 13, 2025
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 15: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 15, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is using criticism surrounding the team's success in 2024 as fuel for the playoffs.
"We've definitely heard all of the chatter," Kelce said during a Monday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. "Guys like Rex Ryan saying that this team can't win in the playoffs and he's seen it before. We hear everything, but at the same time we know what's real and what's in this building."
"We're finding different ways to win and we've got a lot of confidence..
Ryan, a former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst, said on Dec. 9 that there are "three of four" teams better than the Chiefs (2:50 mark).
He also said that the Chiefs were "more vulnerable this year than they've ever been" on First Take (5:32 mark).
Kansas City won 15 of its first 16 games to open the year before suffering its second loss in Week 18 while starters on both sides of the ball sat out after locking up the AFC's No. 1 seed.
Ryan's concerns may be due to 11 of the team's wins occurring in one-possession games this season, but it's still hard to bet against a Chiefs squad attempting to become the first franchise in NFL history to hoist the Lombardi Trophy three years in a row.
Kelce didn't have as large of a role in Kansas City's offense compared to past seasons, but he still earned his 10th consecutive Pro Bowl nod. In 16 starts, he hauled in 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns.
The Chiefs will open the playoffs against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium as they look to continue their championship defense and silence doubters.
