Nick Wright Reacts to Patrick Mahomes’ Bold Call for Change: Chiefs Offense Set to Get More Aggressive in 2025
Nick breaks down Mahomes’ push for a more explosive downfield attack, what’s been holding the Chiefs back, and whether Mahomes, Kelce, and Andy Reid can reignite their championship-caliber firepower.
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, have become synonymous with offensive innovation and explosive plays. But in recent years, their trademark deep passing game has faded. Now, Mahomes is making it clear: the Chiefs must get aggressive downfield again. On his show, Nick Wright broke down Mahomes’ comments, the factors that have held the offense back, and what to expect in the 2025 NFL season.
Mahomes Calls for More Deep Shots
Mahomes recently addressed the need for Kansas City to revive its vertical attack, stating:
“I’ve got to be better at throwing the ball down the field. We weren’t good enough there. We’ve had success in prior years, but these last few years, we haven’t done that. To be great, you have to complete those passes. It opens up everything else. If teams challenge us at the line, we have to show we can go deep. It starts with me, giving guys chances. If we do that, it’ll open up the offense and make us a better team.”
Mahomes’ words, paired with rookie Xavier Worthy’s public comments, have raised the stakes. Wright asks: “If they can’t do it this year, is it time to sound the alarm?”
What’s Changed Since the “Light Show” Era?
Wright traces the evolution of the Chiefs’ offense:
– 2018–2021: The “laser show” era, defined by deep bombs to Tyreek Hill and others. The Chiefs’ offense was feared for its vertical explosiveness.
– 2021 AFC Championship: A crucial deep shot to Hill in overtime bounced off his hands, resulting in a Bengals interception. Cincinnati advanced to the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs’ offensive philosophy began to shift.
– 2022: With Tyreek Hill traded, the Chiefs leaned on JuJu Smith-Schuster, Travis Kelce, and a committee of receivers. Mahomes set a single-season yardage record and won both league and Super Bowl MVPs. The offense was prolific, but the deep ball was less prominent.
– 2023: The Chiefs suffered their first real offensive slump under Mahomes. Injuries ravaged the receiving corps, tackle play was inconsistent, and Mahomes himself struggled with uncharacteristic interceptions. Despite this, the team kept winning, thanks largely to a dominant defense and Mahomes’ postseason heroics.
The 2024 Season: A Perfect Storm of Setbacks
Wright details the many issues that plagued last season:
– Injuries: Hollywood Brown missed time, Rashee Rice suffered a knee injury, and rookie Xavier Worthy struggled with field awareness. The Chiefs even had to bring back JuJu Smith-Schuster after his release from New England.
– Offensive Line Woes: A rotating cast at left tackle led to the worst tackle play of the Mahomes era, undermining the offense’s ability to attack deep.
– Mahomes’ Own Struggles: For the first time, Mahomes had a stretch of games with questionable decisions and turnovers.
– Aging Stars & Depth Issues: Kelce showed signs of aging, and the Chiefs cycled through running backs, at one point re-signing Kareem Hunt.
– Three-Peat Pressure: The quest for a historic third consecutive Super Bowl created added stress and distraction.
Despite all this, the Chiefs finished with the league’s best record and made another deep playoff run, thanks to a defense that kept them in every game and Mahomes’ late-season brilliance.
Why 2025 Should Be Different
Wright is optimistic about the coming season:
– Offensive Line Upgrades: The Chiefs’ biggest offseason moves were signing Jaylen Moore and drafting Josh Simmons, a potential franchise left tackle, to solidify protection.
– Healthier, Deeper Receivers: Hollywood Brown is healthy, Xavier Worthy emerged late last year, and Rashee Rice is expected back. Kelce should be fresher, and the running back situation is more stable.
– Mahomes’ Track Record: Whenever Mahomes has faced adversity or a disappointing finish, he’s responded with MVP-level play the following year.
Wright concludes: “If the offense is mediocre and boring again, then it’s time to scrutinize the coordinators. But I don’t think that’s going to happen. The biggest culprit last year was tackle play, which has now been addressed. If Mahomes is healthy and the line holds up, expect the Chiefs to return to their explosive ways.”
Accountability and Expectations
If the Chiefs’ offense sputters again, Wright says the blame would likely fall on the coaching staff, not Mahomes. But with upgrades across the board and the pressure of last year behind them, Kansas City is poised to remind the league why their offense was once the most feared in football.
With Mahomes demanding more aggression, improved protection, and a healthy receiving corps, the Chiefs are primed to bring back the fireworks. If they can’t, then—and only then—should the alarm bells start ringing in Kansas City.
