The Kansas City Chiefs have lost their 2025 NFL season opener. Los Angeles flew to Brazil with a losing streak against Kansas City that dated back to late September 2021, but it clearly didn’t matter.
Traveling all the way to Brazil, Kansas City now owns a 0-1-0 record, following a 27-21 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday night. The Chiefs didn’t once reach the end zone before halftime. And while quarterback Patrick Mahomes came alive with a second-half showing to drag the Chiefs back in the game, it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Absence of Safety Blamed for Kansas City Week 1 Loss
The Chiefs’ defense seemed like it simply couldn’t get it together; Chargers’ signal caller Justin Herbert recorded 318 yards and three touchdowns (25 of 34 passing), while wide receiver Quentin Johnston tallied 79 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions.
Perhaps it is for this reason that former Super Bowl Champion Ryan Clark said that Justin Reid was a player Kansas City missed having on their roster entering the year.
“Justin Reid’s absence being felt in these zone pressures,” Clark said on X.
Justin Reid’s absence being felt in these zone pressures.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 6, 2025
Clark played safety for the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers after being an LSU alum.
Two-time Super Bowl Champion Reid reached an agreement back in March of 2025 with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year $31.5 million deal as a result of his status as an unrestricted free agent. In 2024, Reid started all 16 regular season games he played in and led the Chiefs secondary with 87 tackles (61 solo), five stops for a loss, and two interceptions.
The seven-year league veteran was originally selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (No. 68 overall pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft.
“I’m a Louisiana kid, I grew up on the Saints,” Reid previously said on why he joined the Saints. That connection to his roots was enough of a reason for the move. But there’s more to it. Reid took the audience back to a core memory that’s stuck with him. “I remember what 2009 was like for the entire state. I have friends that have dedicated enshrinements to that moment.”
As Clark suggested, the Chiefs could have used Reid’s help on the defensive side of the ball.
The loss against Los Angeles breaks an NFL record of 17 straight wins in one-score games, including playoffs, for Kansas City. The Chiefs turn their attention next to face off against the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated them in the Super Bowl just seven months ago.