There is no way around the fact that the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 season was a complete failure. As long as Andy Reid is coaching and Patrick Mahomes is healthy, the expectation is a Super Bowl win for this dynasty. It is a spoiled fan base that has been so dominant that they have to search for legitimate rivals. As much as Buffalo may consider itself a part of this tier, Josh Allen needs to beat Mahomes in a game of importance first.

In truth, the Chiefs have had only three rivals of note the Tom Brady, the Eagles, and the Bengals. With Brady long retired and Philly playing in the opposite conference, the Bengals are the only proven threat to an unstoppable Kansas City dynasty. Yes, the road has been rough for the Bengals recently, however, they are the only AFC team that doesn’t have Tom Brady, who proved itself capable of stopping a return to the Super Bowl. With this in mind, Chiefs fans are going to love the latest headline.

Trey Hendrickson statement today to ESPN: “No communication has taken place between my camp and the organization post draft. The offers prior to the draft did not reflect the vision we shared and were promised last offseason if I continued to play at a high level. Coaches are… pic.twitter.com/2MKBL60ATg

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2025

Trey Hendrickson is Calling Out Both the Bengals’ Front Office and Coaching Staff in Contract Dispute

This statement from Hendrickson is an escalation of ongoing offseason drama with the best defender on the roster. The veteran is the one force Kansas City fans should actually fear on an underwhelming unit. Losing Hendrickson would make the Bengals far less relevant as a potential roadblock to Kansas City continuing their dynasty.

While the franchise did lock up receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the defense remains a huge concern. Even if Joe Burrow can stay on the field for a full season, the Chiefs have the far more complete team. Losing Hendrickson would all but make sure that a Burrow vs. Mahomes playoff game ends in the way it has in recent memory.

This franchise is still hung up on a Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams three seasons ago. The team has two fewer rings than Kansas City in that time, and has been handed memorable losses after their surprise upset in what was the worst AFC playoff game of Patrick’s career. It is yet another reminder of the continued dominance of Kansas City and how much easier the path could become if Hendrickson continues to escalate things with the Bengals.