Kevin Durant isn’t buying the noise surrounding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ rocky 2025 season - and he made that crystal clear during a recent appearance on Up & Adams.
When asked whether missing the playoffs this year could tarnish Mahomes’ legacy, Durant didn’t hesitate. The two-time NBA champion fired back with the kind of conviction you'd expect from someone who knows a thing or two about greatness.
“What kind of a question is that? That makes no sense at all,” Durant said.
“If anybody is questioning Pat Mahomes’ legacy from a one-off year - he can miss the playoffs for the rest of his career, I don’t give a damn. This man is Patrick Mahomes.”
Durant went on to underscore what Mahomes has already accomplished, pointing to his three Super Bowl titles and the elite company he keeps in Kansas City.
“When he’s coming out there, how many championships he got? Three?
Like, come on now. Are we going to question Pat Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce?
He’s still an all-time great - potentially the greatest of all time.”
It’s a strong defense from one superstar to another, and it echoes a sentiment many around the league still hold: even in a down year, Mahomes is Mahomes. And until the final whistle blows on the season, the Chiefs can never be counted out.
Where the Chiefs Stand Now
Kansas City is currently sitting at 6-6, riding a two-game losing streak that’s dropped them to third in the AFC West behind the Chargers and Broncos. That’s unfamiliar territory for a team that’s dominated the division and the conference for much of the last half-decade.
Their latest setback came on Thanksgiving Day in a 31-28 loss to the Dallas Cowboys - a game that was there for the taking. Mahomes was sharp, completing 23 of 34 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a few costly mistakes and a Dallas offense that capitalized on its chances.
The Chiefs aren’t out of the playoff hunt yet, but the margin for error is razor-thin. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every game is a must-win - not just for seeding, but for survival.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Weighs In
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown added his voice to the conversation this week, offering a grounded take on the Chiefs’ outlook during his podcast.
“It’s not cooked for the Chiefs until it’s cooked, so they’re still in it,” St. Brown said.
“They’re not ruled out of the playoffs yet. So, until they’re ruled out, don’t rule them out - because of who they have at quarterback, their winning history, they know how to win games.”
St. Brown pointed out that the Chiefs haven’t been getting blown out - they’re losing tight games, the kind that often come down to a bounce, a call, or a single play. And with Mahomes under center, they’ve always got a shot.
“They might not be winning as many games this season, but they’ve still won some games. And it’s not like they’re getting blown out. They’re losing close games, a bunch of close games.”
The Bottom Line
Yes, the Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. Yes, the margin for error is gone.
But Mahomes, Kelce, Jones - this core has been through the fire before. They’ve won when it mattered most, and they’ve done it more than once.
So while the standings might not look like what we’ve come to expect from Kansas City, don’t mistake a tough stretch for a downfall. As Durant said, this is Patrick Mahomes we’re talking about. And until the math says otherwise, the Chiefs are still in the fight.