Is this the Downfall of Patrick Mahomes?

By: Jeremiah Patten

The 2025 NFL season has shaken the reputation of Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Once widely acclaimed as the league’s “can’t‑miss” elite quarterback, Mahomes is now facing serious questions about whether he’s entering a decline. Here’s how we got here — and whether this really marks his downfall.

📉 What’s Changed: Performance, Stats & Context

• Noticeable decline in production. In previous years, Mahomes routinely posted 4,000+ yards and 40+ touchdown seasons. But after years of high output, his stats have dipped. Some analysts say his recent numbers have “fallen off” compared with his peak years. Yahoo Sports+2FOX Sports+2

• Bad games piling up. In a recent loss to the Buffalo Bills, Mahomes had what’s been described as “one of the worst passing performances of his career.” He completed under 50% of his passes (15 of 34), was intercepted, and couldn’t lead a successful comeback. FOX Sports+2CT Insider+2

• Deep‑pass struggles & lack of big plays. There’s growing commentary that defenses have adjusted to his style; his deep‑ball effectiveness and explosive plays — once hallmarks of his offense — have significantly dwindled. The Guardian+1

• Team instability hurting him. The Chiefs’ supporting cast — from offensive line to receivers — has experienced injuries, departures, or performance dips. That means Mahomes is playing behind a weaker foundation than in his championship years. The Guardian+1

Given all that, some analysts now rank him below the top tier of NFL quarterbacks. FOX Sports+1

🧩 But It’s Not That Simple: Still Among the Best

It’s easy to see the 2025 season so far as a decline — but there are counterpoints worth noting:

• Mahomes is still leading the Chiefs’ offense under very difficult circumstances: weaker supporting cast, tougher defenses, and inconsistent game plans. Even amid decline, maintaining competitiveness matters.

• Some of the downturn may be systemic or circumstantial — not necessarily a sign of career end. Offensive line issues, receiver injuries, or schematic changes can mask a quarterback’s true ability.

• He’s still shown flashes. Despite recent poor outings, he’s publicly acknowledged shortcomings and appears motivated to correct them. Yahoo Sports+1

• One sub‑par season or even two doesn’t erase legacy. Even great athletes go through slumps. And someone with Mahomes’s track‑record often finds ways to adjust and rebound.

⚠️ The Bigger Stakes: What This Could Mean for Mahomes — and the Chiefs

If decline continues, the implications are serious:

• The Chiefs may struggle to remain championship‑contenders year after year — their offense may no longer carry them in tight playoff games.

• Mahomes’s standing among future “great quarterbacks of the era” may change. A prolonged slump would weaken his case as a potential “all‑time great.”

• Kansas City might need to invest heavily in rebuilding around him: improve the offensive line; reload with weapons; adjust schemes — or risk seeing Mahomes’s legacy tarnished by a mid‑career collapse.

On the flip side, if Mahomes and KC manage to correct course — restore pass protection, rejuvenate the offense — this rough patch could become just another bump in the road.

🧠 My Take: It’s Too Early to Call It a Downfall — But It’s a Warning

At this point, I wouldn’t say this is definitively the downfall of Patrick Mahomes. What we’re witnessing seems more like a wake‑up call — the league is evolving, his supporting cast has weakened, and defenses are adapting.

But Mahomes is still young, talented, and smart enough to adapt. The next few months (and next season) will tell whether this slump becomes a long slide or a short pit stop before he rises again.

Still: for the first time in his career, it may no longer be safe to assume “he wins.”