“I Would Be The Last One To Ever Criticize Mahomes”: Bill Belichick Gets Honest After Chiefs QB’s Second Defeat in the Super Bowl.
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NFL quarterbacks cash the biggest paychecks of any player in the league.
Patrick Mahomes has often been on the good side of that reality throughout his Kansas City Chiefs career.
But after his disappointing Super Bowl LIX performance, he’s seeing time on the dark side.
And Bill Belichick isn’t a fan of that.
The legendary NFL coach commented on the discourse surrounding Mahomes on episode 24 of the Let’s Go! podcast.
He acknowledged Mahomes didn’t play his best during Super Bowl LIX.
but said he shouldn’t be the only person taking blame for the loss.
“Sometimes the coaches and quarterbacks get a little too much credit, maybe a little too much criticism for the final result of what the total team performance is.
I would be the last one to ever criticize Mahomes.
I thought that he was under pressure all day.
There weren’t many receivers open… sometimes that’s the way it goes.”
Belichick also discussed the supposed impact the loss had on Mahomes’ legacy.
While fans and analysts may think the defeat somewhat tarnishes his GOAT chase, Belichick doesn’t.
And he’s confident others who have played and coached in the NFL will feel the same.
“I don’t think he’d be diminished by anyone who really competes in the game.
Football is such a team sport… [QBs] can’t play defense.
[They] can’t kick, [they] can’t block in the running game.
They’re a key part of the team.
In some senses, kind of like a point guard.
[But] somebody else has to make [some] shots, too.”
Belichick and Tom Brady went a decade between Super Bowl victories for New England.
As the Chiefs retool, they too could be in for a lengthy period without a Lombardi Trophy.
Bill Belichick sees Kansas City facing tougher path back to Super Bowl.
The easiest way to make the NFL playoffs is to win your division.
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have reigned over the AFC West in all seven of Mahomes’ seasons as a starter.
In total, they’ve won the AFC West nine consecutive times.
Mahomes is an impressive 51-8 against his divisional foes – Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers.
However, after all this time, those teams are on the up and up as a collective.
The Chargers and Broncos each made the playoffs in 2024.
The Raiders, with Brady instilled as a part-owner, have a real sense of direction.
Belichick didn’t predict the Chiefs wouldn’t capture the AFC West crown again in 2025 but didn’t guarantee they would, either.
“[The] division [has] suddenly gotten a lot harder.
The Chargers are coming, the Broncos are coming and I think the Raiders will be coming too, now.
[but] they’ve really built the team well.
They have cap space [and] money.
They have their draft choices… to make things a little bit stronger.
And I’m sure they’ll make some good decisions.”
The first decision that will impact Kansas City is in the hands of tight end Travis Kelce.
If he elects to retire, his departure would represent a true paradigm shift in the Mahomes Era.
The Chiefs and millions of fans will await his choice as the offseason rolls toward the NFL Scouting Combine Feb. 27 – Mar. 2.
