“Everyone Ignored It After the Super Bowl Win”: Nick Wright Exposes Patrick Mahomes’ Deep Throw Struggles
The Kansas City Chiefs have become synonymous with winning, boasting two Super Bowl titles in three years and a 15-win regular season just last year. Their culture of success is undeniable, but beneath the surface, the team’s once-explosive offense has shown signs of decline—particularly in the deep passing game led by Patrick Mahomes.
A Shift in Offensive Identity
After their record-setting 2022 campaign, where Mahomes threw for over 5,000 yards and 41 touchdowns to earn league MVP honors, the Chiefs’ offense has struggled to replicate that form. The team has increasingly leaned on its defense to grind out victories, while their offensive identity has shifted away from the big-play fireworks that once defined them.
The most glaring change has been Mahomes’ regression in deep passing. While stats can sometimes be misleading, both the numbers and the game tape point to a clear drop-off in this area. From 2018 to 2022, Mahomes averaged 4.3 deep pass attempts per game (throws of 20+ air yards), racking up 45 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions and posting an outstanding passer rating of 112.3 on such throws.
However, in 2023 and 2024, those numbers dipped dramatically. His deep attempts fell to just three per game, with only four touchdowns and eight interceptions. His passer rating on deep throws plummeted to a concerning 47.7.
Nick Wright Breaks Down the Numbers
Sports analyst Nick Wright recently highlighted these troubling trends, noting that Mahomes’ deep passing issues began even during his second MVP season. “He kind of stopped throwing deep in 2022, the year he won league MVP, because there was so much run-after-catch stuff,” Wright explained. “2023 gets chalked up to drops, and nobody cared anyway because they won the Super Bowl. Last year, for me, was the perfect storm of struggling in the deep passing game.”
Indeed, in 2023, dropped passes by receivers masked some of Mahomes’ struggles, but the Chiefs kept winning and ultimately captured another Super Bowl title. As Wright pointed out, “nobody cared because they won.” But last season, the cracks widened. Mahomes’ struggles became more apparent, especially in the first half of the year, as he threw a string of interceptions and looked like a shadow of his former self.
No One Else to Blame
This time, the mistakes rested squarely on Mahomes’ shoulders. Despite his struggles, the Chiefs continued to find ways to win, relying on a dominant defense and Mahomes’ uncanny ability to deliver in clutch moments. But the lack of a deep-ball threat was evident and concerning.
The situation was exacerbated by a depleted wide receiver corps, with injuries to key players like Rashee Rice, and instability on the offensive line. The loss of starting left tackle Kingsley Suamataia and inconsistent play from right tackle Jawaan Taylor left Mahomes with little time to let deep routes develop. The pressure to chase a historic three-peat only heightened the tension, forcing the Chiefs to adopt a more conservative offensive approach—effective, but far from the explosive style fans had come to expect.
“Mahomes started the year with some of the worst football he has played as a pro. In the first four games, he had a pick. They won the games, but it was weird,” Wright observed.
A Path Forward: Reviving the Deep Ball
For the Chiefs to reclaim their offensive dominance and continue their Super Bowl runs, Mahomes must rediscover his deep passing prowess. Last season’s Super Bowl loss exposed the limits of relying solely on defense, as fatigue finally set in after weeks of carrying a struggling offense. Now, it’s time for the offense to step up.
There is reason for optimism. The Chiefs’ wide receiver room is deeper and more explosive than it has been in years, featuring Hollywood Brown, Skyy Moore, Nikko Remigio, Justyn Ross, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, and Jason Brownlee, along with promising rookies like Jalen Royals, Elijah Badger, Jimmy Holiday, and Mac Dalena. At tight end, Travis Kelce leads a talented group that includes Jake Briningstool, Geor’Quarius Spivey, Robert Tonyan, Jared Wiley, Trey Watson, and Noah Gray.
Up front, the Chiefs have addressed their offensive line concerns by signing free agent Jaylen Moore and drafting versatile rookie Josh Simmons. With Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris returning as tackle options—despite last season’s struggles—and Suamataia potentially moving inside to replace All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, the line could be more stable and effective.
The Challenge for Mahomes
With improved protection and more speed on the outside, Mahomes has the tools to revive his deep-ball threat. Ultimately, it will come down to his willingness to trust his arm, take shots downfield, and play without fear of turnovers. Only then can the Chiefs return to the offensive dominance that once made them nearly unstoppable.
If Mahomes can recapture his old magic, the Chiefs are more than capable of maintaining their dynasty—and silencing any doubts about their ability to win with explosive, dynamic football once again.
