The Kansas City Chiefs have been the NFL's apex predator for years, with Patrick Mahomes and Co. reaching the AFC Championship game every season until last year. But a soft roster reset and Mahomes' ACL injury have turned the 2026 Chiefs into something of an enigma—at least early on. How good will they be? That's the question the NFL schedule makers are wrestling with, and their answer could shape the team's entire season.

We already know the Chiefs are set to face the Denver Broncos in Week 1 on Monday Night Football—a big call given the uncertainty. But CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo has a different wish for Kansas City: fewer prime-time games in 2026. "The Chiefs played a league-high seven primetime games in 2025," DeArdo wrote. "After a 6-11 season and possible Chiefs fatigue from viewers, there's a very good chance that Kansas City will see fewer opportunities. The Chiefs should welcome it, given how many times they've been asked to play at night over the past several years."

It's a fair point. With Mahomes' health a question mark early on, the league might hesitate to slot the Chiefs into too many prime-time slots in the first couple of months. But here's the thing: even after a down year, Kansas City still draws massive eyeballs. By the second half of the season, if Mahomes is back to form, the Chiefs could easily find themselves back on the national stage. The NFL schedule makers have a tough balancing act—reward past success, account for current uncertainty, and keep fans engaged. How they view the Chiefs when the full regular season slate drops will be fascinating to watch.