The Kansas City Chiefs just crashed out of the playoff race, and for the first time in a decade, the AFC West crown is going to someone other than Andy Reid’s group. That alone tells you how far this team has slipped, and how brutal Sunday’s loss to the Houston Texans truly was. The playoff streak, the division dominance, the annual expectation of Patrick Mahomes’ magic? Overshadowed in one afternoon.
So naturally, the biggest question flying at Reid afterward was about the face of the franchise. And instead of hiding behind clichés or frustration, Reid delivered a deliberate message about Patrick Mahomes.
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Reid backed his quarterback without hesitation. “He’s great. He’s coming to work. Keeps his head up at all times. He understands he’s in a leadership position and he’s a good leader… You continue to get better… You don’t hang your head,” the Chiefs coach said, making it clear Mahomes isn’t wavering even as the season collapses around him.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid on QB Patrick Mahomes: “He’s great. He’s coming to work. Keeps his head up at all times. He understands he’s in a leadership position and he’s a good leader… You continue to get better… You don’t hang your head.”
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) December 10, 2025
But the reality is quite ugly. Kansas City’s offense sputtered all year, the mistakes piled up, and the margin for error just evaporated with a 6-7 win-loss record. The Texans pushed them to the edge and exposed the same issues the Chiefs never solved.
The receiving options, offensive rhythm, and pressure were forced. Everything was off track. It forced Mahomes (and of course, playcaller Andy Reid) to chase miracles instead of running an actual functioning scheme. That failure cost them their playoff life and their AFC West throne.
Patrick Mahomes’ 2025 season is statistically solid but nowhere near his usual standard, and the numbers make that clear. He is playing with 3,398 passing yards, among the league’s top passers, but the production didn’t consistently translate into wins. Mahomes added 22 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. His efficiency also dipped compared to his peak years.
Patrick Mahomes #15 and Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs walk off the field together during the second quarter in the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 02, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
Mahomes posted a 69.4 QBR and a 91.2 passer rating, signaling the broader struggles that defined the Chiefs’ season. The low point came in the loss to the Texans, where he completed just 14 of 33 passes for 160 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns. And most importantly, his completion rate was around 42%.
Overall, the 2025 numbers show a quarterback who still produced at a high level statistically but spent the season fighting uphill against offensive issues the Chiefs never solved.
But Andy Reid’s message was simple and direct. He implied that the season is dead, but Patrick Mahomes isn’t broken. And Reid wants everyone to know he’s not going anywhere, especially when things get messy.
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