Drudgery from many outside the vocal and red-clad territory of Chiefs Kingdom sprouted over the prospect of Kansas City earning an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat this season.

Not to worry. Someone else can hoist the Lombardi Trophy, after all, as the Philadelphia Eagles proved with a 40-22 rout of the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night.

So, can the Eagles become the first team since the 2022-23 Chiefs to repeat as world champions? We’ll know that answer come Feb. 8, 2026, when Super Bowl LX is contested in Santa Clara, Calif.

Until then, there’s no denying that the Eagles will be front-runners to make another deep playoff run next season. Here’s an early look at their prospects and those of four other hopefuls.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Dominant line play steered the Eagles past the Chiefs on Super Sunday and carried them to victory throughout the season.

The good news for Philadelphia is actually great: The defensive front that helped produce six sacks and the offensive line that kept an efficient attack churning against the Chiefs will return largely intact next season.

Newly minted Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts and his silent swagger aren’t going anywhere, either, and you’ve probably heard a thing or two about the resurgence of running back Saquon Barkley.

General manager Howie Roseman and Co. figure to prioritize re-signing guard Mekhi Becton and defensive end Josh Sweat in free agency. Personnel challenges always surface for defending champions, though, and the Eagles have young talent to slot in with their veterans.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Sure, the three-peat bid ended with a surprising yet resounding thud, but the reality that keeps the Chiefs in contention is who remains as their coach and quarterback.

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes looked befuddled through much of the Super Bowl until KC began finding paydirt in garbage time. The duo assuredly has a championship pedigree, though, helping Kansas City to three titles and five Super Bowl appearances since the 2019 season.

Still only 29, Mahomes has made a habit out of getting his supporting cast to shine. With the Chiefs having scarce cap room and a glut of impending free agents, he’ll have to follow suit once more after what looks like an uphill climb of an offseason for general manager Brett Veach and the front office.

Philadelphia exposed holes in the Chiefs’ offensive line that need to be addressed, and Kansas City also has a need for a possession wide receiver.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Yeah, he’s dynamic and talented, but can he win the big one?

A variation of that question seemingly follows Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson into every new season, so why should 2025 be different?

Jackson has at least shown a penchant for leading Baltimore to the doorstep of a breakthrough, helping the team to double-digit victories and an AFC playoff berth in six of his seven seasons. Only 28, he projects for much more success as a passer and a runner and could have a chip on his shoulder after a narrow runner-up finish in the MVP race.

The Ravens must address the left side of their offensive line in the offseason, with tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Patrick Mekari facing free agency.

Adding defensive playmakers would be helpful, too. The Ravens finished in the bottom fourth in turnovers forced this past season and have just three takeaways in their past nine playoff games.

BUFFALO BILLS

With reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen guiding the offense, the Bills surely carry the potential to create Bedlam in Buffalo (by way of Orchard Park, N.Y., of course).

Allen made league history in 2024 as the first player with at least 25 touchdown passes and 10 rushing TDs while throwing fewer than 10 interceptions. He remained a stellar leader, nearly piloting the Bills to the Super Bowl in a nail-biting AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs.

Correcting its recent postseason struggles against Kansas City tops Buffalo’s would-be in-season list of objectives. Before that, though, the front office must help set the Bills up for success in an offseason in which Amari Cooper, Rasul Douglas and Damar Hamlin, among others, loom as unrestricted free agents.

DETROIT LIONS

Numerous key figures from the Lions’ recent surge will return to the fold in 2025, including quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery and pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who will be back from a serious leg injury.

Still, the matter of who won’t be back on a team still woozy over a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders after an NFC Championship Game appearance during the 2023 season is significant.

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears) and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) departed for head-coaching jobs, while a handful of other coaches from Dan Campbell’s staff left to take other opportunities.

The culture of confidence that Campbell has instilled remains intact, though, and the team must also figure that injuries couldn’t be so burdensome to the organization in back-to-back seasons.

And if you’re a fan of superstition, the Super Bowl LX logo pops with several shades of Honolulu-like blue.

–Field Level Media