The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have undergone an id shift over the past couple of seasons, because the protection continues to be the staff’s most dominant unit. If not for Chris Jones, Trent McDuffie and the remainder of the Steve Spagnuolo-led group, KC would have clearly seemed way more weak throughout these current runs. Dynasties usually don’t kind with out nice defenses, however soccer followers count on Patrick Mahomes to function as KC’s point of interest all year long.
That has not been the case over the past two campaigns. The already legendary quarterback remains to be positing stable numbers total and did win Tremendous Bowl MVP honors simply final yr, however his passing yards and touchdowns have been down. He threw for 3,928 yards final season, marking the primary time as a full-time NFL beginning QB that he has did not surpass the 4,000 mark. A troublesome exhibiting in Tremendous Bowl 59 solely accentuated the statistical dip.
With an getting older Travis Kelce (turns 36 in October) and a younger and risky extensive receiver room, posting eye-popping manufacturing is tougher to do nowadays. Mahomes isn’t making excuses, although. No. 15 is taking accountability for his previous misfires and specializing in how he and the offense can enhance forward of the 2025-26 NFL season.
Patrick Mahomes sounds additional motivated
“There’s stuff we’ve acquired to get higher at,” Mahomes informed USA TODAY’s Jarrett Bell. “Particularly myself. There’s performs on the soccer discipline that I didn’t make final yr, that I’ve made in earlier years. On the finish of the day, I’m going to do no matter it takes to win, whether or not that’s passing for lots of yards, not passing for lots of yards.
“However I believe if I play higher, that’s going to make it higher for the staff. So, I’ve acquired to be higher at executing at any time when the pictures are there, making these throws. As a result of that’s going to alleviate stress on our protection and make them play extra free and make the staff play extra free.”
Will the Chiefs possess extra stability in 2025?
A dialed-in, self-aware Patrick Mahomes is a terrifying factor for the remainder of the league to confront. Nevertheless, the three-time Tremendous Bowl MVP and two-time common season MVP can solely achieve this a lot with out an enough working recreation. The Chiefs acquired little assist from their backfield final season, as Isiah Pacheco battled accidents, and Kareem Hunt battled Father Time. Elijah Mitchell joins the speeding assault this yr, keen to come back out sizzling after lacking the entire 2024-25 marketing campaign with a hamstring damage.
If Kansas Metropolis can set the tone on the bottom, Mahomes’ job ought to turn into a lot simpler. Finally, although, he’ll nonetheless have to hyperlink up with Kelce, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown, amongst others. The Chiefs are a well-rounded operation that’s not utterly depending on explosive pass-plays to thrive on the gridiron.
However like Mahomes alluded to, they’re extra harmful when he shows his elite ability set. Kansas Metropolis went 15-2 and claimed one other AFC title with Mahomes throwing 26 TDs and averaging 245.5 passing yards per recreation. Think about what this franchise can do if its keystone turns into a certifiable murderer with the soccer as soon as once more.