Patrick Mahomes, the team’s star quarterback, is well aware of the situation. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mahomes acknowledged that the Chiefs haven’t been playing at their best but expressed pride in their ability to grind out wins.
“That’s why I think it’s special what we’ve been doing early in the season,” Mahomes said, via the Associated Press’ Dave Skretta. “We’re not playing our best football, but we’re finding ways to win. A lot of these games could be losses, and we could be looking at a way different rest of the year.”
Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense are not hitting the same high marks they have in past seasons. Kansas City ranks 14th in both yards and points, and Mahomes has already thrown five interceptions in just four games. While this is below his usual standard, Mahomes is no stranger to overcoming adversity. Last season, despite a drop in points per game (21.8, compared to his first five seasons averaging over 28 points), he still led the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory, delivering a stellar playoff performance.
Mahomes is leaning on those experiences to stay calm through the early-season challenges. “That’s what I learned last year,” he said. “I went through a slump where I didn’t play as well at the end of last year, but I kept working on it in practice. In the playoffs, I felt like I played at a very high level, so that’s what I’m focused on right now.”
So far this season, Mahomes has posted the lowest quarterback rating (89.7) and highest interception percentage (4.1) of his career. But the Chiefs’ defense has stepped up to keep the team in games, masking some of the offensive issues.
As the Chiefs prepare to host the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football, Mahomes will look to break out of his funk and get the offense back on track. With his track record of rising to the occasion, fans can expect Mahomes and the Chiefs to keep pushing forward as they aim for another deep playoff run.
