The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off the 2024 NFL season with high hopes, led by their All-World quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Recognized as one of the most talented QBs in the league, Mahomes was expected to bolster the Chiefs’ quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl win, a feat that has never been accomplished in the Super Bowl era. However, the journey has been anything but smooth for Mahomes.
The first 10 games have shown some uncharacteristic challenges for the Chiefs' leader. His performance has been marked by surprising inconsistencies and poor play.
Mahomes has passed for 2,404 yards, throwing 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. These statistics are noteworthy, considering his typical output. Last season, Mahomes ended the regular season with 14 interceptions, a career-high. He’s on pace to surpass that number in 2024.
Despite a slip in Mahomes individual productions, Kansas City leads the AFC at 9-1. His struggles have been evident in multiple games, but have been somewhat overlooked because the Chiefs continue to win. In what may have been Mahomes worst game statistically, K.C. beat San Francisco, 28-18, with the quarterback throwing for just 154 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. But the Chiefs won that game by 10 points, so all was well.
When you have the resume of a Mahomes, with three Super Bowls and numerous individual awards, sometimes you get a pass as long as you keep winning.
It’s tough to criticize a player like Mahomes when he has a few bad games because he’s been so great for such a long time. A two-time league MVP, two-time All-Pro, three-time Super Bowl MVP and all of that in his first six years as the team’s full-time starter.
For some reason, things aren’t clicking for Mahomes the same way this season. It could be the pressure of going after a third straight title. Or maybe the fact that his favorite target and buddy, Travis Kelce, looks to be slowing down. Several reasons could be responsible for Mahomes’ struggles, but one thing we know is there’s no one K.C. would rather have in crunch time than No. 15.
Still, the question remains: will Mahomes' struggles continue, and if so, will the team continue to be able to overcome them?
