Bill Simmons Blasts Patrick Mahomes for Costly Error He Calls a “Rookie QB Mistake”

The Kansas City Chiefs are in uncharted waters. With a 5-5 record late in the 2025 season, the perennial AFC powerhouse finds itself outside the playoff picture, trailing the Jacksonville Jaguars by one game for the final wild-card spot. For a franchise that has dominated the division for seven straight years and reached five Super Bowls in six seasons, this year’s struggles have sparked intense scrutiny—and much of it is now focused on the face of the franchise, Patrick Mahomes.

Bill Simmons Blames Mahomes for Chiefs’ Slide

Renowned sports media personality and podcast host Bill Simmons didn’t mince words after the Chiefs’ 22-19 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Simmons placed a significant portion of the blame squarely on Mahomes, highlighting a crucial interception thrown by the quarterback inside the red zone.

“In the first half, he had open guys that he just missed. I think it was like two or three times. The red zone stuff has been weird too. That interception that he threw today, that was like a scrub quarterback interception. You’re inside the 15 (yard line). You didn’t think that guy would jump up and catch the ball? This (bleep) wasn’t happening to him a couple years ago,” Simmons said on his podcast.

The interception, snagged by Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian, killed a promising Chiefs drive and epitomized the kind of mistakes Mahomes has largely avoided throughout his career. Simmons’ harsh assessment signals a growing frustration among fans and analysts who have grown accustomed to seeing Mahomes deliver under pressure.

Offensive Line Woes Add to Chiefs’ Problems

While Mahomes has come under fire, Simmons also pointed out the offensive line as a major culprit in the Chiefs’ downfall. Penalties, especially holding calls, have repeatedly put the offense in tough situations, stalling drives and erasing big plays.

“I don’t feel like this is an overreaction,” Simmons continued. “They haven’t looked right all year and you can’t blame the weapons. I don’t think the offensive line has looked good. They have these holding (penalties) every single game. … They just don’t look right to me and I think they’re running out of time here.”

The lack of cohesion and discipline up front has made life difficult for Mahomes, forcing him into hurried throws and limiting the offense’s ability to capitalize in critical moments.

Playoff Picture: Chiefs on the Brink

The Chiefs’ playoff chances are now hanging in the balance. According to Next Gen Stats, Kansas City has a 51% chance to make the postseason. However, their losses to three of the four teams currently ahead of them in the wild-card race—the Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers—could prove costly in tiebreaker scenarios.

With just seven games left, the margin for error is razor-thin. The Chiefs must not only fix their execution on offense but also find a way to recapture the discipline and focus that have defined their dynasty.

Is Time Running Out for Mahomes and the Chiefs?

The criticism from Simmons reflects a broader concern: the Chiefs, and Mahomes in particular, simply don’t look like themselves. Uncharacteristic mistakes, stalled drives, and mounting pressure have created a sense of urgency that the team hasn’t faced in years.

For Mahomes, the challenge is clear. He must rise above the adversity, eliminate costly errors, and lead his team back into contention. The offensive line must tighten up, and the entire organization needs to rediscover the formula that made them champions.

If the Chiefs fail to correct their course, this season could mark the end of an era—and the beginning of a new set of questions about the NFL’s most celebrated quarterback and his once-unbeatable team.