Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense are stuck in a serious drought, ranking a shocking 19th in the NFL in points per game since the 2023 season. This isn’t just a small dip, folks. After a disappointing 6-11 season last year, the Emerald City’s own 12s, along with every other football fan, are wondering what the heck happened to one of the league’s most explosive units.
The Unbelievable Slide from Dominance
Can you believe it? Mahomes, the guy who used to throw 50-plus touchdown passes, is currently at the helm of an offense that can barely crack the top 20. From 2018-22, Mahomes’ first five seasons as a full-time starter, the Chiefs were the top-scoring offense in the entire league! They averaged over 30 points per game, joining just two other franchises in NFL history to do that over a five-year stretch: the 1940s-50s Rams and the 2000s Patriots. That’s elite company. Now? They’re lost. Their total yards per game has plummeted from 1st to 18th, and 20-yard plays, those signature deep shots, are down to tied-23rd. Mahomes himself has transformed from that gunslinger to a game manager, ranking 23rd in yards per attempt, 21st in passer rating, and 11th in QB efficiency by EPA per dropback over the past three years. This isn’t just a blip; it’s a 50-plus-game sample of below-average scoring that legends like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning never experienced in such a prolonged stretch. The Chiefs have now ranked 15th or worse in points per game for three straight seasons, a stat Brady only hit once in his final season.
Mahomes Has No Help, and It’s Brutal
You can’t blame Mahomes entirely. He simply hasn’t had the playmakers around him. The Chiefs are the only team in the entire league that hasn’t produced a single 1,000-yard rusher or receiver in a season over the past three years. Think about that! Mahomes has somehow still racked up 11,698 passing yards since 2023, the most in a three-year span in NFL history without a 1,000-yard receiver. That’s a stat that puts him ahead of guys like Trent Green, Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, and Jordan Love. The reasons are piling up: the league’s shift to a two-high safety blueprint, the departure (and now return) of OC Eric Bieniemy, the huge trade of Tyreek Hill, the unavailability of Rashee Rice, the decline of Travis Kelce, the underachievement of Xavier Worthy, and the departures of offensive linemen Orlando Brown Jr. and Joe Thuney. It’s a perfect storm of issues for a once-historic offense.
The Chiefs are staring down the barrel of another season, and they’ve got to find answers immediately. Without a serious turnaround, what are we even looking forward to?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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