What the Kansas City Chiefs should do with Patrick Mahomes injury, Matt Ryan explains

Patrick Mahomes is working through a new injury sustained during the Chiefs’ Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Patrick Mahomes has had just about everything go right so far this season. Sure, his statistics have struggled at times and the Kansas City Chiefs have won games in ugly fashion routinely, but at the top of the AFC. there can be no qualms.

Of course, rival fans and analysts have called out Andy Reid’s team over how they’ve gotten where they are, but at the end of the day, all other 15 AFC teams would be happy to trade records.

However, while Mahomes may have reason to feel good about what his team has accomplished this year, his body physically is beat up. Lamar Jackson’s perennial MVP rival is dealing with an ankle injury that has placed his availability on a week-to-week basis, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport via the New York Post.

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

Matt Ryan on Mahomes

With the playoffs in view, there is a question of how hard one should push Mahomes. Speaking in a December 16 interview with CBS Sports, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback from the 28-3 Super Bowl, Matt Ryan, gave his recommendation.

“If it was me, I would sit him. I think it’s most important to have him healthy for the playoff stretch. And you know, ankles are tough. … I look at this regular season, a two-game lead in first place in the AFC, they’ve got these two games back to back. Maybe you can get him back for Week 18, get a little rhythm heading into the playoffs,” he said.

“I have no qualms about getting him some rest and making sure that he’s healthy, because in my opinion, you got to have him as fresh as possible if you want to make a run towards their third Super Bowl,” he added.

Of course, extra rest would be good news for the quarterback, but his return date could be problematic for their Week 18 opponent, the Denver Broncos.

Floated rest plan echoes Patrick Mahomes’ first NFL taste

Longtime Broncos fans know what it is like to face a Patrick Mahomes who had been sitting going into a final game of the season. The Chiefs debuted Patrick Mahomes for the first time against the Denver Broncos in a Week 17 matchup to conclude the 2017 season.

Mahomes ultimately won the contest 27-24, completing 22 of 35 passes for 284 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception. It was his first start, playing with backups and he still managed to defeat Denver, who was playing their starters.

In 2024, the Broncos hope to ride into the playoffs on a win streak. If they lose to Mahomes, it could hurt their momentum going into sudden elimination. Will the Chiefs throw a curveball at a team that was a blocked kick away from losing to them earlier this season?