The Kansas City Chiefs are in unfamiliar territory. For the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ era as starting quarterback, the team has started an NFL regular season 0-2. After losses to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil and a narrow home defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, questions are mounting: is this just early-season turbulence, or do the Mahomes Chiefs struggles signal deeper issues in roster health, coaching strategy, or team chemistry?
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A Brief Look: What Led to This 0-2 Start
The Chiefs opened their season overseas, playing the Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil. Despite some flashes of offense, they fell short. Key personnel were already impacted: Xavier Worthy was injured early in that opener, which disrupted the depth and explosive threat at receiver. That absence, coupled with other constraints, has rippled through the offense.
In Week 2, hosting the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City lost 20-17 in a game that exposed several issues. Among them:
- A pivotal dropped pass by Travis Kelce in the fourth quarter, which turned into an interception by Eagles safety Andrew Mukuba. Mahomes has since remarked that the throw was earlier than ideal and perhaps too ambitious under pressure. New York Post
- Poor third-down conversion: the Chiefs went 4-of-12 on third down in that matchup, failing repeatedly to extend drives.
- Offensive line and running game issues: with some receivers unavailable, more burden fell on the ground game and Mahomes’ improvisation, but the blocking and support weren’t consistent.
Together, those elements helped produce this anomalous start. It isn’t just one bad quarter or one poor game; it’s a pattern across two games showing the Mahomes Chiefs struggles are more than noise.
Statistical Snapshot of the Struggles
To understand how unusual this is and what exactly is going wrong, the numbers tell a revealing story.
- In Week 2 against Philadelphia, Mahomes threw for 187 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. A decent yardage total, but far from the consistent, explosive passing output people have come to expect.
- On the ground, Mahomes has been the team’s leading rusher in both games. He gained 66 rushing yards in the Eagles game and has put up 123 rushing yards total through the two-game span, while the rest of the offense combined for fewer yards on the ground. That’s a striking stat, illustrating how much of the offensive burden he’s absorbing outside of typical pocket passing.
- Big plays are present, though infrequent. The offense has managed explosive passes — for example, a 49-yard touchdown to Tyquan Thornton in Week 2. But those moments are not enough to overcome errors and inconsistency.
- Third-down efficiency and red zone execution have been weak. Missed opportunities, errors in tight spaces, and failures to maximize scoring chances have haunted the Chiefs in both games.
So while Mahomes is doing what he can, the supporting cast—receivers, offensive line, play-calling—has not yet matched the level needed to offset mistakes and injuries.
Mahomes Chiefs Struggles: Key Contributing Factors
It’s not just Mahomes: a confluence of issues is contributing to this rough start.
Injuries and Suspensions in Key Positions
- Xavier Worthy, the promising rookie receiver, was injured in the opener and has not yet returned to full capacity. His absence reduces explosive demand and weakens deep-threat options.
- Rashee Rice is serving a six-game suspension. This limits depth at receiver and puts more pressure on the remaining pass catchers.
These gaps have forced Mahomes to rely more on Kelce, Thornton, and others—some of whom are not yet fully back into rhythm or full health.
Offensive Line Performance and Blocking Issues
- The running game has looked inconsistent—blocking break-downs, inability to sustain runs, and pressure in passing situations. These deficits force Mahomes into more scrambles or forcing throws.
- Red zone and short yardage plays, which typically require tight blocking and strong execution, have been especially vulnerable to miscommunication or misexecution. Kelce’s critical drop and subsequent interception came in a tight space.
Coaching and Play-Calling Under Scrutiny
- Some analysts and fans view the offensive play-calling in both games as indecisive — either too conservative when aggression was needed or too risky when consistency was required. Mahomes has publicly said that they’re “close” and that misses have been by narrow margins.
- With fewer weapons available and injuries mounting, balancing the offense has proven challenging. How often to call plays for the run vs pass, when to use Kelce heavily, when to try big plays — these decisions are magnified in tight games.
Mental and Momentum Factors
- Confidence is being tested. When a team loses a close game, especially due to mistakes like dropped passes or turnovers, it can tilt belief. Mahomes and Reid have spoken about needing to respond and showing resilience.
- Momentum in league seasons matters — starting 0-2 under Mahomes has never happened before. This adds psychological weight and heightens scrutiny from media and fans.
Historical Context: How Rare Is This?
The Chiefs have rarely been in this position. Mahomes’ tenure has been defined by winning records, playoff success, and frequent early-season dominance. An 0-2 start is a sharp departure from those expectations.
- It is the first 0-2 start for Kansas City in the Patrick Mahomes era.
- The last time the Chiefs began a season 0-2 was in 2014. That was under Andy Reid but long before Mahomes became the franchise centerpiece.
- Looking at NFL history, teams that start 0-2, particularly following a season with high win totals, have a difficult time making deep playoff runs. Few manage to recover fully to contend for championships.
So while history doesn’t doom the Chiefs, this start is as unusual as it is concerning.
Where Mahomes Is Still Shining Despite Chiefs Struggles
Even amid these Mahomes Chiefs struggles, there are positives that suggest the elite quarterback is still performing at a high level and keeping the team within reach in games.
- Mahomes has added significant rushing yards; in Week 2, for instance, he led the team in rushing yards against the Eagles with 66 yards and a rushing touchdown. That kind of mobility, improvisation, and ability to produce when structure breaks down remains a core strength.
- The big-play capability is still there. The long touchdown pass to Thornton shows that when connections form, Mahomes can still stretch defenses and generate explosive potential. Kansas City Chiefs
- Mahomes is also being vocal about accountability—both his own and the team’s. In press conferences, he has acknowledged missed opportunities while maintaining belief that the team is close to turning the page. That leadership quality tends to matter in seasons that start off rocky.
These positives do not erase the losses, but they offer building blocks for recovery.
What Chiefs Must Fix: Tactical Adjustments and Strategy Shifts
To overcome this unusual start, and to minimize continued Mahomes Chiefs struggles, several things appear necessary.
Stronger Receiver Depth and Health Management
- Getting Xavier Worthy back to full health and integrating Rashee Rice when possible are top priorities. Depth at receiver matters, especially for stretching the field and opening up options for Mahomes.
- Load management for veterans like Travis Kelce, especially in tight coverage or in red zone situations, can help reduce misses or drops that are costly in close games.
Improving Offensive Line and Running Game Cohesion
- Better blocking in the run game to allow Pacheco or backups to gain yards on the ground; opening up play action would help Mahomes earlier in downs.
- Greater consistency in pass protection so Mahomes is not forced into scrambling or off-schedule plays (though his scrambling has been one of the few positives). Pressure disrupts timing, leads to misfires, and contributes to turnovers.
Refining Play-Calling, Especially Under Pressure
- On third downs and red zone situations, play designs need to be less predictable and more adaptive, especially when defenses know what’s coming.
- Cut down on high-risk throws in tight windows if receivers are being bracketed or tightly defended, especially when primary options are down. Mahomes has historically excelled in improvisation, but minimizing risk when the margin is small is crucial.
- Maximize explosive play opportunities: find ways to incorporate deep threats or misdirection even while facing personnel limits.
What’s At Stake If Struggles Persist
An 0-2 start is more than just two losses—it has implications.
- Playoff chances: Historically, starting 0-2 makes getting a postseason berth harder. Chiefs used to regular playoff contention will feel the pressure.
- Seed positioning and home-field advantage: Even if they make the playoffs, early losses can put them in tougher spots, reduce margin for error, and force road games in critical matches.
- Confidence and media pressure: Fans and analysts are already asking questions. The margin for error shrinks when public scrutiny increases. If the Chiefs don’t correct course quickly, scrutiny could compound.
- Long-term health of veteran players: With Kelce, and other older players, still contributing, durability and consistency will matter. Mis-management of load or expectations could harm performance later in the season.
Looking Ahead: Can the Chiefs Turn It Around?
With Weeks ahead and many games to play, all is not lost. The Mahomes Chiefs struggles so far offer a wake-up call more than a verdict. Here are potential pivot points:
- They face the New York Giants in Week 3, a chance to get their first win. A bounce-back could help reset momentum. Reuters
- Adjustments in personnel as injured players return, and suspension ends, will restore depth.
- Coaching staff likely to tweak game plans: factoring in limitations, simplifying certain packages, playing to strengths while avoiding forcing low-probability plays.
- Mahomes himself will be central in this turnaround—not only in performance but in leadership, rallying teammates, keeping morale high, emphasizing adjustment and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What does “Mahomes Chiefs struggles” mean in this context?
It refers to the unusual difficulties Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are facing at the start of the 2025 NFL season. For the first time in his career as a starter, the team is 0-2, with issues ranging from injuries and suspensions to inconsistent offensive line play and dropped passes by key targets.
Q2. Why did the Chiefs start 0-2 for the first time under Patrick Mahomes?
A mix of factors contributed: Xavier Worthy’s injury and Rashee Rice’s suspension reduced receiver depth; the offensive line struggled to protect Mahomes and sustain a running game; and mental lapses like Travis Kelce’s costly drop against the Eagles created turnovers at critical times. This convergence produced the first back-to-back opening losses in the Mahomes era.
Q3. How is Mahomes performing individually despite the team’s poor start?
Statistically, Mahomes is still producing, but in a different way. He’s been the team’s leading rusher in both games and still delivering occasional explosive passes. However, with fewer reliable targets and shaky protection, his passing yardage is down and red zone efficiency is suffering.
Q4. Are the Chiefs’ playoff hopes already in jeopardy?
An 0-2 start doesn’t eliminate playoff chances, but it makes the path tougher. Historically, teams starting 0-2 reach the postseason at a much lower rate, and seeding becomes more difficult. Still, with Mahomes and Andy Reid, the Chiefs retain enough talent and experience to rebound if they correct mistakes quickly.
Q5. What can Kansas City do to fix the Mahomes Chiefs struggles?
They need to get injured players healthy, improve offensive line play, balance the running game to reduce Mahomes’ burden, and refine red zone and third-down play-calling. Better execution and depth at wide receiver will help Mahomes reestablish rhythm and restore the high-powered offense.
Q6. When will the Chiefs have a chance to turn the season around?
Week 3 against the New York Giants provides a potential reset. A win there could stabilize morale, give the offense confidence, and show that adjustments are working. As suspended players return and injuries heal, Kansas City could quickly regain its familiar form.
Conclusion for Mahomes Chiefs struggles
The Mahomes Chiefs struggles at the start of the 2025 season mark a rare and telling moment in the Patrick Mahomes era. Kansas City’s dominance has often felt inevitable, but back-to-back losses have exposed vulnerabilities: thin receiver depth, inconsistent blocking, red zone inefficiency, and costly mistakes in high-leverage situations.
Yet amid the setbacks, Mahomes continues to demonstrate leadership and versatility—rushing for key gains, hitting deep throws when possible, and maintaining public accountability. These traits, combined with Andy Reid’s coaching experience and the eventual return of suspended or injured players, give the Chiefs a path back to contention.
Whether this 0-2 start becomes a defining slump or a motivating wake-up call depends on how swiftly the team corrects its flaws. If Kansas City can shore up protection, reestablish its passing rhythm, and regain the offensive balance that defined its championship runs, the early-season turbulence may become a footnote in another successful campaign. For now, however, the Mahomes Chiefs struggles serve as a reminder that even elite teams must constantly adapt to new challenges in the NFL.
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