Just days before the Kansas City Chiefs’ season collapsed in a 16-13 heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Chargers, Tebow told PEOPLE he still believed Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce could pull off a miracle run — even as the odds tightened and the AFC landscape shifted.

“I think the parity in the NFL is incredible,” Tebow said, calling this year’s playoff race one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. “If the Chiefs can make it in — which it looks slim right now — I would never count them out.”

At that moment, Kansas City sat at 6-7 with only a 15% path to the postseason. Mahomes was still standing, Kelce was still fighting, and the dynasty still felt possible.

But football can be cruel.

Hours later, those slim hopes vanished: Mahomes tore his ACL in the final minutes, and the Chiefs’ postseason streak ended. Tebow’s warning became heartbreak — a reminder that even greats can fall.

Still, Tebow insists the Mahomes–Kelce–Reid trio remains a threat when healthy, calling them the last team anyone wants to face in a do-or-die game. And he’s not just watching the pros — he’s helping shape the future.

The 2007 Heisman winner is revealing finalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, honoring athletes who lead off the field, not just on it.

He praised finalists Matt Hofer, Tanner Wall and winner Michael Taaffe for service ranging from anti-fentanyl advocacy to global mentoring.

“Find what breaks your heart — and step into it,” Tebow said.

Whether predicting long-shot playoff dreams or spotlighting student-athletes changing lives, Tebow’s message is clear: greatness isn’t only measured in rings.

And in Kansas City, even in a season of pain, that belief still matters.