2 former Chiefs players are making big impacts with new teams, leaving fans frustrated as Kansas City begins season 0-2

The Kansas City Chiefs have began the 2025 season 0-2, putting everything under the microscope.

Part of that is roster building. Two position groups in particular are struggling right now — the wide receivers, and the defensive line. The issues with the WR corps are mostly out of the Chiefs’ control (injuries, Rashee Rice suspension), but they could have placed a little more emphasis on improving the DL during the offseason.

In fact, the DL could have been better in 2024, specifically the pass rush. Kansas City acquired defensive end Joshua Uche in a trade with the New England Patriots in Week 9 of last season. Uche flashed top-end pass rush ability in the past, recording 11.5 sacks in 2022. However, he appeared in just six of 10 regular season games with the Chiefs, and was inactive throughout their entire postseason run.

Joshua Uche has made a huge impact with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025

The Chiefs let Uche walk during the offseason, leading him to Philadelphia on a one-year contract. During the first two games of the season, Uche is the highest-graded DE in the NFL per Pro Football Focus (H/T Thomas R. Petersen).

Josh Uche is the highest graded DE in the NFL through 2 weeks.

Josh Uche is the highest graded DE in the NFL through 2 weeks.

Relatively small sample, but he's been a terrific addition to the Jalyx, Nolan, Za'Darius rotation.#Eagles pic.twitter.com/3oQJMAFfpW

— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) September 16, 2025

Going from hardly being active with the Chiefs’ defense to one of the best performers in the league for the Super Bowl champs isn’t a great look for K.C. Sure, we’re only two games in, but it’s tough to believe he couldn’t at least have been an effective situational pass rusher for the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, K.C. is only able to generate pressure on the quarterback when defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dials up all-out blitzes (H/T Jesse Newell).

WR DeAndre Hopkins is making splash plays for the Baltimore Ravens

Hopkins only has four receptions so far on the year, but three of them have been highlight reel catches. In Week 1 he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass one-handed while double covered.

DEANDRE HOPKINS ONE-HANDED SNAG FOR THE TD!!! 🤯😱

WOW. WOW. WOW.

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/BJhv8R0mf5

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 8, 2025

Hopkins followed that up in Week 2 with a diving 42-yard reception in sticky coverage down the sideline.

TELL YOUR AUNT DEANDRE HOPKINS STILL DOIN ITpic.twitter.com/UTNCRTdJsf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 14, 2025

Later in that game, he caught a 23-yard TD which was also tightly defended.

Incredible.@DeAndreHopkins with ANOTHER great catch in the end zone!!!! Tune in on CBS and @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/MujbZ1ZAGl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 14, 2025

Hopkins already has half the amount of TD catches with Baltimore that he had for K.C. in 10 games with the team last season. He had his moments with the Chiefs, but went cold down the stretch. It’s hard to criticize K.C. for not bringing back Hopkins, but it is a bit frustrating watching him look like his old self with the Ravens. The Chiefs will see him when they host Baltimore in Week 4.