The Post’s Steve Serby previews the AFC West for the 2026 season.
1. Denver Broncos
Coach: Sean Payton
2025 record: 14-3
Key additions: Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is a jitterbug YAC target to complement Courtland Sutton. Fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman could be the running back of the future. Saftey Talanoa Hufanga joins the secondary.
Key departures: Defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, Safety P.J. Locke.
First-and-goal: Sean Payton is an elite head coach. Every O-line starter returns for the third straight season. Waddle is a weapon that Bo Nix needed. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen are bookend pass rushers who led to a league-best 68 sacks. Patrick Surtain II is a lockdown corner and CB Riley Moss is excellent. Hufanga brings the wood. Davis Webb is the bright new play-caller. RJ Harvey is a weapon out of the backfield. Devon Key is a special teams ace. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has head coaching chops.
Fourth-and-long: Tight ends Evan Engram and Adam Trautman are not difference-makers. Edge rusher Jonathon Cooper is on Commissioner Exempt List. Linebacker Alex Singleton can be a coverage liability.
Prediction: 11-6. Formidable trenches and a quarterback who Payton trusts.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
Coach: Jim Harbaugh
2025 record: 11-6
Key additions: Tight end David Njoku can be a red-zone target. First-round pick Akheem Mesidor can help the pass rush. Second-round pick center Jake Slaughter has to replace center Tyler Biadasz (knee).
Key departures: Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Edge Odafe Oweh, Center Bradley Bozeman, Offensive lineman Mekhi Becton, Tight end Will Dissly, Guard Ben Cleveland.
First-and-goal: Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are healthy again to pave holes for running back Omarion Hampton. Quarterback Justin Herbert will have fun targeting receiver Ladd McConkey. Safety Derwin James is the alpha in the secondary. Edge rushers Khalil Mack, even at 35, and Tuli Tuipulotu bring the pass rush. Kicker Cam Dicker is a weapon. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brings unpredictability. Harbaugh wins.
Fourth-and-long: Center Tyler Biadasz’s knee injury was a crushing blow. Chris O’Leary is the rookie Defensive coordinator. Questions behind Cornerback Donte Jackson. Harbaugh and Herbert are 0-2 together in playoffs.
Prediction: 11-6. The schedule includes Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Patriots, Ravens, Broncos twice and Chiefs twice.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Coach: Andy Reid
2025 record: 6-11
Key additions: Super Bowl MVP Running back Kenneth Walker III will be used in passing game. Cornerback Mansoor Delane is a rookie replacement for Trent McDuffie. Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returns to replace Matt Nagy.
Key departures: Offensive coordinator Nagy, Safety Bryan Cook, Cornerback Jaylen Watson.
First-and-goal: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) appears healthy. Center Creed Humphrey is a four-time Pro Bowler. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is a weapon. Defensive tackle Chris Jones and Linebacker Nick Bolton are the heart and soul. Tight end Travis Kelce will be motivated for his last-hurrah season. Defensive cordinator Steve Spagnuolo is universally respected. Reid is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Fourth-and-long: Defense forced the fourth-fewest turnovers (14), recorded the seventh-fewest sacks (35) and had the fourth-worst third-down conversion percentage defense (43.6 percent). Right tackle Jaylon Moore needs to improve his pass protection. Can Walker stay on the field? Can Rice stay healthy and off the police blotter? Can Wide receiver Xavier Worthy start looking like a first-round pick? Can rookies Defensive linemen Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas juice the pass rush?
Prediction: 9-8. Difficult to bet against Mahomes and Reid, but the dynasty is in trouble.
4. Las Vegas Raiders
Coach: Klint Kubiak
2025 Record: 3-14
Key additions: Kubiak — just ask Sam Darnold how much of an offensive mind he is. Quarterback and first overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will be tutored by Kirk Cousins. Elite Center Tyler Linderbaum is a is $81 million man.
Key departures: Quarterback Geno Smith, head coach Pete Carroll, Quarterback Gardner Minshew, Linebacker Robert Spillane, Safety Tre’von Moehrig, Cornerback Nate Hobbs, Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Running back Zamir White, Guard Alex Cappa, Nose tackle Benito Jones.
First-and-goal: Mendoza will develop into a true franchise quarterback. Brock Bowers is the cream of the Tight end crop. Left tackle Kolton Miller and Linderbaum will help Mendoza. The defense has been upgraded with edge rusher Kwity Paye, and Linebackers Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. Rookie Cornerback Jermod McCoy could be a steal. “Mad” Maxx Crosby never left. Kicker Matt Gay and Punter AJ Cole equal solid kicking game.
Fourth-and-long: Mendoza will need time. Running back Ashton Jeanty’s leg injury means rookie Mike Washington Jr. needs to step up. The O-line remains a work in progress. The receiver corps is led by Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech.
Prediction: 5-12. Growing pains for the coach and quarterback.
