On the latest episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith sent shockwaves across the NFL landscape with one of his boldest statements of the season: “The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer a dynasty. The Chiefs Kingdom has collapsed — and it’s more obvious than ever.”
A single sentence that immediately ignited a firestorm of debate across social media.
Stephen A. — already famous for his explosive takes — pushed even harder this time. He argued that the once-unstoppable era of the Mahomes–Reid partnership has officially come to an end. No more sharp execution, no more cold-blooded finishes in crunch time, and most importantly,
According to Stephen A., the problem goes far deeper than inconsistent offensive play. He claims the entire structure of the team is cracking. “They’ve lost the DNA of a champion,” he said. “What we’re witnessing is internal erosion — something nobody wants to say out loud, but somebody needs to.”
Many analysts are starting to agree that the Chiefs are entering dangerous territory. The team has been weighed down by constant lineup changes, unreliable production from the receiving corps, repeated situations where Patrick Mahomes is forced to carry the entire offense, and a defense that has lost the discipline it once relied on. While Kansas City is still a good team, the image of an untouchable dynasty dominating the league year after year is slipping away.
The controversy exploded further as Chiefs fans erupted on X (Twitter). Some accused Stephen A. of exaggerating for ratings, while others admitted he might be telling the harsh truth after several disappointing performances.
Mahomes, as expected, kept a cool demeanor. He expressed confidence in the team and insisted the Chiefs would “clean things up and get back on track.” But even his calm reassurance couldn’t silence the rising skepticism from analysts and fans alike.
The bigger question now looms over the league: Is this a temporary slump, or the official end of an era?
Is Kansas City simply stumbling through adversity, or is Stephen A. right — and we’re witnessing the fall of a once-dominant empire?
One thing is certain: Stephen A.’s comments have sparked a storm that the Chiefs cannot ignore. The pressure is now on Kansas City to answer not with promises, but with performance. If they can’t, the NFL may be watching the rise of a new powerhouse while the Chiefs Kingdom quietly crumbles.
Ben Johnson Dismisses Handshake Drama: ‘We’ve Got Bigger Things to Focus On’
After the Chicago Bears’ disappointing 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers, all eyes were on the post-game handshake between Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson and Packers’ coach Matt LaFleur. The brief exchange, which many fans and media outlets quickly labeled “awkward” or “cringe-worthy,” quickly gained attention online. However, Ben Johnson wasn’t fazed by the reaction, and he made it clear that there were far more important matters to focus on than a handshake.
“Look, every handshake after a game is quick. It’s just the way it is. We’ve got bigger things to focus on than a handshake. Move on, folks — there’s no drama here,” Johnson said in his post-game interview, brushing off the intense focus on what some saw as an icy moment between the two head coaches.
The moment in question came after a tense game that saw the Bears battling to stay in the playoff race. The loss to the Packers stung, but for Johnson, the handshake wasn’t the moment that defined the game. “We lost because of our own mistakes,” he added, continuing to emphasize that his team had bigger challenges to address than the interaction with LaFleur.
While some fans and commentators quickly zoomed in on the perceived tension, Johnson’s calm and measured response suggested that the rivalry between the Bears and Packers was simply part of the bigger picture of his team’s goals for the season. Instead of letting an off-the-field moment distract from the team’s focus, Johnson was determined to keep the narrative centered on the performance of his players and the path forward for the Bears.
His comments resonated with many within the Bears’ locker room. The loss to the Packers, while frustrating, didn’t change the fact that the team’s season was still in flux, with important games ahead. “We’re not going to let one handshake dictate the direction we’re headed,” Johnson stated confidently. “We need to clean up our mistakes, focus on execution, and move on to the next game.”
Johnson’s perspective is in line with his broader approach as a coach. Rather than allowing external drama to interfere with the Bears’ momentum, he is committed to improving the team’s performance, making adjustments, and keeping the focus on football.
For the Bears, the task now is simple: put the Packers loss behind them and focus on the next game. With several important matchups remaining, the road to the playoffs is still within reach. It’s clear that, for Ben Johnson, the handshake is just another fleeting moment in a season full of opportunities.
