Injury to Mahomes Exposes Chiefs’ Offensive Flaws-and a Front Office Reality Check
The Kansas City Chiefs have been riding the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes for years. But in the wake of his torn ACL-suffered during a tough loss to the Chargers-the reality of life without No. 15 hit hard, and fast.
Against the Titans, the Chiefs’ offense sputtered. With Gardner Minshew and Chris Oladokun under center, Kansas City managed just nine points.
Meanwhile, the Titans-hardly an offensive juggernaut-put up 26. The gap wasn’t just on the scoreboard; it was a stark reminder of how much Mahomes has been masking deeper issues on this roster.
That’s the crux of what’s been brewing beneath the surface. Mahomes’ greatness has papered over a lot of cracks. But now, with him sidelined, those cracks are more like fault lines.
Mahomes Covered a Lot-Now It’s All Exposed
There’s no overstating what Mahomes means to this team. He’s not just the engine of the offense-he’s been the duct tape holding it together. His ability to extend plays, read defenses on the fly, and make throws that most quarterbacks wouldn’t even attempt has allowed the Chiefs to function at a high level, even when the pieces around him haven’t always been ideal.
But with him out, the offense has looked disjointed and underpowered. The Titans game was a glaring example.
The Chiefs couldn’t get into rhythm, couldn’t stretch the field, and couldn’t keep drives alive. That’s not just about quarterback play-that’s about the infrastructure around the position.
Offensive Issues Go Beyond QB
Let’s start in the backfield. The running back room has lacked consistent production all season.
There’s no true bell-cow, no back who can take over a game or even consistently move the chains when asked. That’s a problem, especially when you’re trying to support a backup quarterback.
Then there’s the offensive line. Injuries have taken their toll, sure-but even when healthy, this group hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Protection has been spotty, and the run blocking hasn’t been much better. Mahomes has made this line look better than it is, using his mobility and pocket awareness to avoid pressure.
But without him? The deficiencies are glaring.
The wide receiver corps has also been underwhelming. Drops, miscommunications, and a lack of separation have plagued this group all year.
There’s talent in the room, but it’s inconsistent. And depending on what Travis Kelce decides to do moving forward, the tight end position could be another area of concern.
Kelce has been a safety blanket for Mahomes for years, but if he’s nearing the end of the line, the Chiefs will need to think hard about how to fill that void.
The Front Office Can’t Rely on Mahomes to Do It All
Here’s the bottom line: Mahomes is a generational talent, but even generational talents need help. These last two games should serve as a wake-up call for Kansas City’s front office.
The Chiefs can’t afford to keep patching holes and hoping Mahomes can carry the load. They need to get serious about reinforcing this roster-especially on offense.
That means investing in the offensive line. It means finding a reliable running back.
It means retooling the receiver room with weapons who can win one-on-one matchups. And it means preparing for life after Kelce, whether that’s next season or a few years down the line.
Kansas City has been one of the NFL’s best at building around its star. But now, with Mahomes down, the illusion of invincibility is gone.
The Chiefs don’t just need Mahomes to be great-they need to be great around him. And that starts with the front office taking a long, hard look at what this offense really is without its MVP.