Is the Chiefs' 2025 Special Teams Collapse the Worst in NFL History? Shocking Stats Inside!

The Kansas City Chiefs' special teams coordinator, Dave Toub, is known for his candidness during interviews, often sharing his unfiltered thoughts. In early December, when asked about the noticeable decline in special teams performance compared to the previous year, Toub didn't hold back. “Does that mean we’re s—–?” he quipped, eliciting laughter from reporters. After reflecting, he admitted that the 2025 special teams unit has indeed fallen short of expectations amidst a disappointing 6-11 season. “We’re not as good,” he acknowledged. “We’re not making as many plays as we did last year at critical times on special teams. That’s frustrating.”

This season, the Chiefs' special teams ranked 20th among NFL teams in expected points added (EPA), according to data from TruMedia. The decline has been stark when comparing the statistics from 2024 to 2025:

During the first 15 weeks of the season, the special teams ranked a disheartening 26th overall. This drop in performance is particularly notable because Toub has set high standards since he joined the Chiefs in 2013. The team has been accustomed to making impactful special teams plays, especially during their successful 2024 season when they went 15-2 and advanced to the Super Bowl, largely due to strong kicking performances.

However, 2025 told a different story. Kicker Harrison Butker struggled with accuracy, and the special teams unit frequently disrupted momentum through penalties and mistakes. “Just didn’t make plays, it seemed like,” Toub reflected. “We just couldn’t get a game where we made plays to win the game. And I’m speaking on my end of it. In the past, we’ve done that a lot of times.”

A detailed look at the EPA breakdown for the Chiefs’ special teams reveals several critical weaknesses:

Despite these shortcomings, there were some silver linings. Following rule changes aimed at enhancing kickoff returns, Toub expressed satisfaction with his kickoff coverage unit, which ranked 6th in EPA and did not allow any touchdown returns during the regular season. “We had a lot of young players,” he noted, “obviously, they just keep getting better and better.” Additionally, the Chiefs achieved a notable feat of not losing any fumbles on special teams, contributing to an overall impressive run of ball security with only three lost fumbles in 2025.

However, the emphasis on minimizing risk may have hampered the team’s potential for explosive plays. Toub mainly relied on Nikko Remigio as a primary returner, choosing stability over the speed and dynamic potential of other options. This conservative approach mirrored the struggles faced by the team’s offensive run game, which found itself constrained by a lack of explosive athletes.

Looking ahead, the focus on improving special teams will be pivotal for the Chiefs. As Brett Veach, the Chiefs' general manager, highlighted during a press conference prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, there’s a necessity for more competition at the returner position. The Chiefs drafted Brashard Smith in the seventh round, hoping to inject some dynamism into their return game. Unfortunately, Smith's preseason was marred by a dislocated finger, limiting his opportunities to prove himself as a viable option.

As the season progressed, the decision to stick with the more cautious Remigio resulted in disappointing rankings, with the Chiefs finishing 23rd in EPA for kickoff returns and 25th for punt returns. Toub lamented the lack of significant plays, noting, “That’s just not good enough. We have to do a better job of getting some bigger returns at kick return.” While Smith showed promise late in the season, including a notable 44-yard punt return against the Denver Broncos, the overall special teams performance fell short of the Chiefs' standards.

The changing landscape of kickoff rules presents challenges and opportunities for Toub and the Chiefs as they prepare for the 2026 season. With teams adapting to new strategies, the Chiefs may need to consider balancing risk with reward, especially when it comes to their return game. The 2025 season was marked by a series of frustrating moments and missed opportunities, and as Toub aptly put it, they must “keep getting better.”