Patrick Mahomes, once the AFC’s golden boy, faced his toughest challenge lastseason. The Chiefs’ dominance hit a rough patch as they stumbled into a mid-season slump, leaving everyone questioning their shot at another Lombardi Trophy. The reason for this downturn? Dropped passes and blunders from Mahomes himself. 

Chris Broussard, never one to mince words, staunchly defended P-Mahomes amidst criticism of the team’s “worst receiving core.” He suggested that while another QB could win MVP this year, it didn’t mean they were better than Mahomes. “Nobody can beat Mahomes. He’s won three Super Bowls in six years,” Broussard declared, blaming the Chiefs’ defense.

But Rob Parker saw it differently. He thought an elite QB should’ve been able to elevate the game despite a weak receiving corps, citing Aaron Rodgers as a prime example. Broussard, however, countered that Rodgers’ numbers benefited from playing catch-up in trailing games, unlike Patrick Mahomes’. 

But Mahomes’ own stats weren’t great—38 dropped passes and a second-place ranking in offensive penalties. Usually the definition of on-field dominance, the Chiefs’ QB found himself in constant frustration during the mid-season. Sure, he had his standout moments, like lighting up the Chargers with 424 yards and four touchdowns, but late-game slips overshadowed these highlights. Kansas City lost five close games, with drops and penalties killing drives in four of them.

This is a far cry from the signal caller’s MVP seasons with off-the-charts stats. His passing yards and TDs were down, and he threw a career-high 14 interceptions (two off deflections). While the 28-year-old QB’s numbers took a hit, it was clear the struggling receivers were a big part of the Chiefs’ problems. 

With Lamar Jackson securing the NFL MVP, Mahomes faced even tougher competition to reclaim his dominant status. 

Dropped passes plague Chiefs as Mahomes loses MVP to Lamar Jackson 

Jackson, even without key offensive players like Mark Andrews and J.K. Dobbins (injuries!), led the Ravens to the AFC’s top spot. His MVP run peaked in Week 17, where he threw five TDs, sealing his spot as MVP. This one’s his second MVP, making him just the 11th player to ever snag two.

Sure, Mahomes had that Super Bowl win over Jackson’s Ravens, but this season’s narrative shifted towards Jackson lifting up a less stacked team. His passing stats saw a boost, and he was still a threat on the ground, even if not quite at his 2019 MVP level. Mahomes, on the other hand, had a rough time with the receiving crew. 

Comparing Mahomes and Jackson’s seasons highlights how tricky it is to evaluate QBs. Stats matter, but a solid team can make all the difference. Mahomes needs to sort out his receiving corps if he wants to grab the MVP title again and quiet critics. But Jackson’s rising fast, and the fight for the top QB is just getting started!