The Kansas City Chiefs continue to produce one of the best rosters in the league, earning them consecutive AFC West titles and appearances in the Super Bowl. The new season will see several changes, but the goal remains the same: hoisting another Vince Lombardi trophy.

ESPN recently published an article ranking 2025 NFL rosters with the best projected lineups. The writers listed Kansas City at No. 5 while tagging an impactful player from the Chiefs as their X-Factor.

X factor for 2025: Wide receiver Rashee Rice, pending disciplinary action from the league. Is this the season Rice truly ascends to the No. 1 receiver role in Kansas City — and puts up the numbers to prove it? The signs are there. The Chiefs gradually increased Rice’s role throughout his rookie season in 2023, but he still finished with 2.6 yards per route run.”

In the article, ESPN NFL analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder provide a more detailed discussion of the Chiefs. The Baltimore Ravens finished atop this year’s roster projection rankings.