What must each AFC West team do to reach the Super Bowl?

The AFC West has been defined by hierarchy for most of the past decade, but as the 2026 season approaches, the gap feels narrower – and more fragile – than at any point in the Patrick Mahomes era.

Each team enters the year with a plausible case for relevance, yet only if a very specific set of conditions fall their way.

From contender maintenance to full-scale reconstruction, here’s what Denver, Los Angeles, Kansas City and Las Vegas must do to reach the Super Bowl at the end of the 2026 NFL season.

Denver Broncos

Denver’s 2025 campaign was built on defensive toughness and the steady development of second-year quarterback Bo Nix, before it ended abruptly with Nix suffering a broken foot during the playoffs. Their Super Bowl hopes in 2026 begin, quite simply, with ensuring their franchise passer returns fully healthy and without lingering mobility concerns.

The encouraging news is that the structure around him remains sound. Denver fielded one of the league’s most consistent defenses in 2025, combining depth up front with discipline on the back end. Maintaining those standards – particularly as defensive contracts begin to escalate – is non-negotiable.

Offensively, however, the Broncos must be bolder. Nix showed poise and accuracy, but too often lacked a truly elite pass-catching outlet capable of tilting coverage.

Whether via a premium draft pick or a headline free-agent signing, Denver need a difference-making receiver to accelerate Nix’s development and raise their offensive ceiling.

Los Angeles Chargers

Few teams were as thoroughly undermined by injury luck in 2025 as the Chargers. An offensive line ravaged by absences prevented any sustained rhythm, exposing Justin Herbert to constant pressure and limiting the downfield game.

A healthier front five in 2026 would change the equation dramatically, but it must be paired with a resurgence from wide receiver Ladd McKonkey. After a promising rookie season, McKonkey struggled to recapture that form last year. Los Angeles need him back as a reliable separator and volume target. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is perfectly placed to oversee that task.

On defense, the Chargers enter a transitional phase. Jesse Minter’s departure to Baltimore leaves new coordinator Chris O’Leary with big shoes to fill, but also a strong foundation. If O’Leary can preserve the unit’s structure and aggressiveness, the Chargers have the balance required to contend.

Kansas City Chiefs

David Eulitt/Getty Images

Kansas City’s standards remain brutally high, but the cracks are no longer imaginary. The offense has grown increasingly narrow, leaning heavily on an ageing Travis Kelce and asking Patrick Mahomes to conjure explosives in less-than-ideal circumstances.

The most obvious correction is the run game. Possessing a rare top-10 draft pick, the Chiefs are well placed to target Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love and finally establish a credible ground threat. Doing so would ease pressure on Mahomes and restore offensive multiplicity.

Equally important is redistributing responsibility in the passing game. Kansas City must improve its explosive play rate and reduce its dependence on Kelce, ensuring Mahomes’ prime is maximised rather than merely sustained.

Las Vegas Raiders

For the Raiders, honesty is required. A Super Bowl run in 2026 is highly improbable for a team that finished 2025 with the league’s worst record. Progress, not contention, is the real objective.

That starts with the No. 1 overall pick. Las Vegas cannot afford to miss on Fernando Mendoza, who is widely expected to be the selection. His development must be the organisational priority, supported by patience and coherent roster building.

Beyond quarterback, the Raiders need volume – young talent at every level, accumulated intelligently. Nail the pick, load up the roster and establish a timeline. Only then can dreams of Lombardi trophies return to realism.