After the 2023 season, when the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a dramatic overtime Super Bowl LVIII, Patrick Mahomes earned his second consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophy and the third of his career. It seemed like nothing could stop them-but they have now hit an unbreakable wall.
The following year, the Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl aiming to become the first team to win three consecutive championships, but they were crushed by the Philadelphia Eagles in a year where their offense had already shown signs of stagnation. That Sunday in New Orleans, their struggles were laid bare, as the 22 points they scored all came in garbage time.
A year later, their offense continued to struggle, ranking just 21st in the NFL in points per game. The most painful blow came when Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in his left knee during a December game against the Chargers, while the Chiefs still held slim playoff hopes.
Competition is getting tougher
Patrick Mahomes’ career has often been compared to Tom Brady’s. Interestingly, the most winning quarterback in history also suffered the same injury in his ninth season, and many predict Mahomes’ career trajectory could be similar. There is no doubt about his talent, but compared to Brady’s era, Mahomes now faces much stronger competition in the AFC.
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd believes the road ahead for the Chiefs will get increasingly difficult:
“This Kansas City roster does not feel close, too many holes,” Cowherd said. “This Kansas City coach is aging at 68; he does not have 7-8 years left. This Kansas City team is now in a brutal division.”
Tom Brady played in the AFC East against teams like the Jets, Bills, and Dolphins, which were largely weak at the time-though the Bills have since improved. In contrast, Mahomes is in the AFC West, where the Denver Broncos finished as the #1 seed, the Chargers are favorites to win the division, and the Raiders are beginning a new era under Fernando Mendoza.
Moreover, talent is abundant across the league: Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence, and Josh Allen all pose challenges. The stakes are high for Patrick Mahomes. While he undoubtedly has the talent, mindset, and experience to turn things around, the goal ahead is incredibly difficult, even for a three-time Super Bowl champion.
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