For the first time since early December, Patrick Mahomes stepped back into the public eye and addressed the state of the Kansas City Chiefs - and he didn’t shy away from the tough questions. Speaking to local media on Thursday, the two-time MVP opened up about his recovery from a late-season knee injury, the team’s offensive struggles in 2025, and what he hopes to see from a new offensive coordinator as Kansas City begins what could be a pivotal offseason.
Let’s start with the coaching shake-up. With offensive coordinator Matt Nagy actively pursuing a head coaching opportunity elsewhere, the Chiefs have already made changes to their staff - parting ways with wide receivers coach Connor Embree and running backs coach Todd Pinkston. Mahomes, who’s worked closely with Nagy over multiple stints, was quick to show support for his coach.
“I love coach Nagy,” Mahomes said. “He’s done a lot for my career.
Helped shape me into the quarterback I am today. I know he wants to get back into a head coaching role, and I hope he gets that shot.
He’s not just a great coach - he’s a great person. He’s given me a lot of ideas, not just on the field, but off it too.”
But Mahomes’ comments weren’t just a farewell to a familiar face. They were also a window into what went wrong this past season - and what needs to change moving forward.
“Consistent” - A Word That Defined the Chiefs’ 2025 Season
When asked to reflect on the offense’s performance, Mahomes didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I think, offensively, we weren’t consistent enough throughout games,” he said. “We had stretches where we played well, and stretches where we didn’t. That starts with me, and it has to carry through the entire offense.”
The Chiefs’ offense was a rollercoaster in 2025 - flashes of brilliance followed by frustrating droughts. Early in the season, they were still finding ways to win, but after the bye week, the wheels came off. Kansas City finished the year on a 1-7 slide, a stunning collapse for a team led by Andy Reid and Mahomes.
Injuries certainly played a role, but the bigger issue was rhythm - or the lack of it. The offense couldn’t string together consistent drives, and for the first time under Reid, the Chiefs went an entire season without a five-game win streak. That’s not the standard in Kansas City.
“Conscious” and “Counteract” - Teams Have the Blueprint
Mahomes also acknowledged something that’s been brewing for a while: teams are catching up to Kansas City’s playbook.
“You have to dive deep into that scheme evaluation,” he said. “Teams are watching a lot of film on us.
They’re very conscious of the plays we’ve had success with for a long time. We have to find ways to counteract that.”
Translation: the Chiefs’ offense has gotten predictable. And in today’s NFL, that’s a death sentence - especially when you’re the team everyone circles on the calendar.
Take the Week 9 loss to Buffalo. The Bills looked like they had the Chiefs’ number from the opening snap, and it wasn’t just execution - it was anticipation. They knew what was coming.
That theme continued down the stretch. Between Weeks 11 and 14, Kansas City averaged just 14 points per game against playoff-bound teams like Denver, Houston, and the Chargers.
On third down, where Mahomes typically thrives, the offense sputtered. The Chiefs ended the year ranked 22nd in third-down conversion rate - a steep drop from their top-6 finishes the previous two seasons.
That kind of regression doesn’t happen by accident. Defenses adjusted. Kansas City didn’t.
“New Ideas” - What Mahomes Wants in His Next OC
When asked what he’s looking for in a new offensive coordinator, Mahomes was clear: innovation and accountability.
“For me, I just want someone that loves football,” he said. “Someone who gives everything to win, holds people accountable, and brings new ideas every single day. That’s what it takes to be great in this league - you have to evolve.”
It’s a telling quote. Mahomes isn’t just looking for someone to call plays.
He wants a partner in creativity - someone who can challenge him, push the offense forward, and keep defenses guessing. That’s how dynasties stay dynasties.
And just as important as Xs and Os? Culture.
“Accountable” - A Return to the Chiefs’ Identity
“I want to get back to that winning culture of being accountable to each other,” Mahomes said. “Playing great football every single day, whether it’s practice or a game.”
That’s the kind of message you’d expect from a quarterback who’s been to the mountaintop - and knows what it takes to get back. It also hints at a possible shift in tone inside the locker room. While Nagy brought a more collaborative, upbeat energy, Mahomes seems to be craving a coach who’s not afraid to be blunt - a coach who holds everyone to the standard that’s been set in Kansas City over the last half-decade.
One name that naturally comes to mind? Eric Bieniemy.
The former Chiefs offensive coordinator, now with the Chicago Bears, was known for his tough-love approach and demanding accountability. Whether or not he returns, that’s the kind of leadership Mahomes seems to be advocating for.
What’s Next for the Chiefs?
This offseason is shaping up to be one of the most important in the Mahomes-Reid era. The Chiefs aren’t in crisis - not with No. 15 under center - but they are at a crossroads.
The offense needs a spark. The scheme needs an update.
And the locker room, by Mahomes’ own admission, needs to rediscover its edge.
The good news? The franchise quarterback knows it. And he’s not waiting around for someone else to fix it.
As Mahomes put it, “It starts with me.” And if history is any indication, that’s a pretty good place to begin.