Relying on Mahomes’ Scrambles Might Be the Chiefs’ Downfall
The Kansas City Chiefs are facing an unfamiliar predicament: an 0-2 start to the regular season and a worrying trend of relying too heavily on the legs of their superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. In back-to-back losses—first to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil and then to the Philadelphia Eagles at Arrowhead—Mahomes not only led the team in rushing but also exposed himself to more hits than ideal for the franchise’s $450 million investment.
Mahomes’ Rushing Heroics: Impressive, But Risky
Against the Eagles, Mahomes racked up a career-high 66 rushing yards in a regular-season game, highlighted by a gritty play where he barreled over rookie safety Andrew Mukuba for a crucial first down. He followed that effort with a 13-yard rushing touchdown, showcasing the competitive fire that has made him one of the NFL’s most electrifying players.
Head coach Andy Reid, while defending Mahomes’ instincts, acknowledged the risks:
“He trains that way. He’s not going to not take an opportunity if it’s given. I don’t want to see him get the big hits, but he’s a pretty competitive guy.”
Mahomes himself recognized the fine line he must walk:
“I usually don’t try to run over big guys. I did a good job of protecting myself. You have to be smart in those situations… It’s a long season. So I try to get back to running out of bounds as much as possible. I’m just gonna try to manage that throughout the season so I can be there for the playoffs.”
Offensive Struggles: A Symptom of Larger Issues
While Mahomes’ mobility is an asset, it also highlights a troubling lack of production from the rest of the offense. In both losses, Mahomes outgained all Chiefs running backs and receivers on the ground. The offense has been out of sync, plagued by dropped passes—including two by Travis Kelce—misfires on deep balls, and deflected throws.
Mahomes summed up the performance succinctly:
“Things here and there that we just didn’t do at a high enough level.”
The Chiefs’ inability to score in the first quarter has now stretched to three straight games, counting their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Eagles—a game in which Kansas City trailed 34-0 at one point and ultimately fell 40-22.
Mounting Adversity and the Road Ahead
The Chiefs’ three-game losing streak, spanning the Super Bowl and the first two weeks of this season, is their first such skid since Mahomes became the starting quarterback. The losses have stung even more given the recent history with the Eagles, who have now beaten Kansas City three straight times.
Defensive lineman Chris Jones spoke to the team’s motivation before the Eagles rematch:
“We still have a bad taste in our mouth. It offers the chance to play them again and also get some payback.”
Instead, the Chiefs find themselves searching for answers and needing to rally from an 0-2 hole. Reid’s message to the team was simple:
“Keep playing hard.”
Jones echoed the call for resilience:
“This is a moment for us to even come together as a team. Adversity builds character.”
The Bottom Line: Chiefs Must Find Offensive Balance
For the Chiefs to right the ship and make another playoff run, they must find a way to take some of the rushing burden off Mahomes. While his ability to extend plays and pick up key yards with his legs is a weapon, relying on it as Plan A is unsustainable—and risky for both Mahomes’ health and the team’s long-term success.
As the season moves forward, Kansas City will need more from its running backs, receivers, and overall offensive execution. Only then can Mahomes focus on doing what he does best—making magic with his arm and leading the Chiefs back into contention.
The Chiefs’ championship window remains open, but to capitalize, they must protect their most valuable asset and rediscover the offensive rhythm that has defined the Mahomes era.
