If you thought the Kansas City Chiefs’ season could not get worse, Sunday confirmed that it could. Not only were the Chiefs lifeless in a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that eliminated them from playoff contention, but franchise quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in the fourth quarter. It ends his 2025 season and jeopardizes his availability for the 2026 campaign.
The team will need to make changes. Before the game, it appeared that one good offseason could get Kansas City back in contention for 2026. But now — even if the Chiefs execute a sound strategy over the spring and summer — it might not translate to being viable contenders next season.
What can we expect?
Patrick Mahomes’ recovery
Will Mahomes play in 2026? Almost certainly. If he returns in nine months, that’s right after the start of the regular season. Fans fans can expect the quarterback to attack his rehabilitation, considering that he already had the surgery he needed. With modern science in recovery, tearing the ACL is not a career-ending injury.
But at what level will Mahomes be able to play? Even if he’s cleared, he won’t be the same player. It could take time to regain trust in his knee. His mechanics are likely to be affected. He will probably scramble less. Finally, he will have a shortened offseason.
So it is unlikely that the two-time MVP will immediately be able to play like a top-tier quarterback. As he recovers, he won’t be able to be a superhero who can carry his team to victory. To put it another way: we saw Mahomes do everything he could to reach a 6-8 this season. But if he couldn’t scramble, what record would Kansas City now have? Probably something like 4-10.
So what are the next steps?
Sunday’s game demonstrated how much effort Mahomes has had to make to drag a poorly-constructed offense along behind him.
Once again, the running game was useless. Even though Los Angeles ran pass-minded defensive schemes that invited runs, the Chiefs had 19 carries for only 34 yards. Running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have just not proven to be starting-caliber players this season. No team fears Kansas City’s running game, which is treated like a chore by the play-calling.
Without having to deal with the running game, the Chargers were able to tee off on Mahomes. Los Angeles didn’t blitz once, but registered pressure on over half of his dropbacks. With three backup offensive linemen in front of Mahomes, it was bound to be a disaster.
And once again, the Chiefs’ wide receivers could not catch in traffic, create yards after the catch or separate against man coverage — which is why Kansas City’s offense is seeing man coverage at one of the league’s highest rates.
The team’s offensive scheme is not ideal for this era of football. The NFL’s best offenses are blending runs and passes at an extraordinary level. Teams have beefed up offensive personnel, throwing from heavy formations against base defenses. The Chiefs are doing just the opposite, using smaller personnel.
This is what put so much on Mahomes’ plate. He has to create every yard in this offense — whether it’s by making every decision in the quick-passing game or creating out-of-structure plays. It is no longer a sustainable strategy.
How to alleviate the stress on Mahomes
It’s simple: fix the running game. The Chiefs do not necessarily need an elite ground attack — but when opposing defenses present light boxes, Kansas City must punish them. Until opponents respect (and fear) what the Chiefs do on the ground, the offense will have take what defenses give them.
The repair requires a couple of things:
- A better running back
- Improved run blocking on the perimeter.
The offensive line is (finally) great, but the offense needs receivers and tight ends who can contribute to blocking. This way, the Chiefs can present a true run-pass conflict in heavier formations.
These bigger pass-catchers will also be better at catching in traffic. This team needs more players with actual skills as pass receivers.
Finally, there needs to be a serious conversation about the offensive scheme and coaching staff. While this doesn’t necessarily that heads must roll, everything must be evaluated. The group needs new ideas (and players) who can force defenses to play on their terms. If such a change requires different coaches, then so be it.
The bottom line
Over the past three seasons, the Chiefs have failed Mahomes. While the team had success in the first two of these season, their scheme and personnel decisions have led the team to where it is today: a nightmare season that ended with the franchise’s star player seriously injured. While this doesn’t take anything away from Kansas City’s amazing six-year run, the organization simply wasn’t proactive enough. Now it is facing the consequences.
There is a lot of pressure for the Chiefs to have a strong supporting cast ready for Mahomes when he returns, making it the most important offseason of head coach Andy Reid’s tenure.
If it’s done right — that is, if Reid adjusts his scheme and personnel to get with the times — it could open his last window to contend. But if it isn’t, 2025 will not be his final failed season.
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