Patrick Mahomes Lands in MVP Conversation Despite Injury, Offensive Struggles
Even in a season that didn’t end with a playoff berth-or even a full 17 games played-Patrick Mahomes still found himself in the thick of the NFL MVP conversation. That’s not just a testament to his talent; it’s a reflection of how much he means to the Kansas City Chiefs, even when things aren’t going according to plan.
Mahomes wrapped up the season with 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Add in 422 rushing yards and five scores on the ground, and you start to see the full picture: this was far from a “down” year by most standards. But for Mahomes, whose bar is set somewhere near the stratosphere, it was a grind-physically, mentally, and schematically.
He missed the final three games of the season after tearing his ACL and LCL on December 14, yet still managed to rank sixth in QBR and fifth in points above average. That’s elite company, especially considering the circumstances.
A Supporting Cast in Flux
The Chiefs’ offense this season was a revolving door of injuries, inconsistencies, and missed opportunities. Mahomes’ top wide receiver, Rashee Rice, was suspended for the first six games, and the rest of the receiving corps struggled to stay healthy-or productive.
According to player tracking metrics, Kansas City's receiver group posted a team score of 32 on a 0-99 scale, ranking third-worst in the league. That metric evaluates a receiver’s ability to get open, secure the catch, and generate yards after the catch relative to expectations. In other words, Mahomes was working with one of the least effective receiving units in the NFL.
That inefficiency showed up in the drop rate as well-7.6%, the third-worst mark in the league. That’s a brutal number for any quarterback to overcome, let alone one trying to carry a banged-up offense through a tough AFC slate.
Defenses Adjusted, But Mahomes Still Produced
Another layer to Mahomes’ 2025 campaign: how defenses played him. He faced light boxes-defensive fronts with fewer than seven men-on 76% of snaps, the fourth-highest rate among quarterbacks. That’s a sign of how much respect opposing coordinators have for his arm; they were more concerned with stopping the pass than stacking the box to defend the run.
Despite that, Mahomes still found ways to move the ball and keep the Chiefs competitive. His efficiency metrics remained strong, even as his accuracy dipped slightly from previous seasons. And while the offense struggled to find rhythm, Mahomes’ improvisational brilliance kept Kansas City in games they had no business being in.
MVP Recognition in Context
Seth Walder of ESPN released a list of the top 100 most valuable players in the NFL, and Mahomes landed at No. 6.
That’s no small feat considering the Chiefs missed the postseason and Mahomes didn’t finish the year. The five players ranked ahead of him-Drake Maye, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love-all either made the playoffs or are still playing.
But Mahomes’ placement on the list speaks volumes. He was still one of the league’s most valuable players, even in a season that saw him lose weapons, protection, and eventually his ability to suit up.
Looking Ahead
Mahomes plans to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, though recovering from both an ACL and LCL tear is no small task. Still, if there’s anyone who can come back strong, it’s No.
- His track record speaks for itself-two league MVPs, three Super Bowl MVPs, and a reputation for rewriting the rules of quarterback play.
And let’s not overlook the defense, either. Chris Jones, the anchor of the Chiefs’ defensive front, came in at No. 25 on Walder’s list. He was a force all season long and one of the few consistent bright spots on a team that had to fight through adversity on both sides of the ball.
Bottom Line
This season may not go down as one of Mahomes’ most decorated, but it might be one of his most impressive. He didn’t have the weapons.
He didn’t have the protection. And by the end, he didn’t even have his health.
But he still found a way to be one of the most valuable players in the NFL.
That’s not just greatness-that’s resilience. And it’s why Mahomes remains firmly planted in the MVP conversation, no matter what the stat sheet-or the standings-might say.