Patrick Mahomes has made a career out of comebacks. But Super Bowl LIX? That wasn’t just a hole—it was a crater. Down 24-0 at halftime against the Eagles, Mahomes was battered, the Chiefs’ offense was lifeless, and Troy Aikman was calling it like he saw it.

“They’re not nearly as explosive,” he said bluntly on 1310 The Ticket Podcast. It wasn’t just about trailing big—it was how they got there. Sacks, interceptions, a pick-six. It was like watching a script no one expected, except maybe the Eagles’ defense.

If there was ever a time to play it safe, it was right before the half. But the Chiefs didn’t. Instead of regrouping and taking a breather, they went aggressive—too aggressive. Mahomes threw another interception, and in a flash, A.J. Brown was dancing in the end zone. 24-0.

Game over? Aikman certainly thought so. “You gotta really mess things up on the other side of the ball if you’re not gonna win that game,” he said. The Patriots did it in 2017. Tom Brady and Co. came back from a 28-3 deficit against the Falcons in SB LI, and now the Chiefs were flirting with the same.

But this wasn’t the same Chiefs team we’ve seen rewrite playoff scripts. In past years, Mahomes had erased deficits of 10, 14, even 24 points. This time? There was no intent, forget the spark. By the time he threw his first touchdown, the scoreboard read 34-0.

Aikman suggested the Chiefs were second-guessing themselves, playing too cautiously when it mattered and then panicking when it was already too late. The numbers back it up—Mahomes was 6-of-14 for 33 yards and two picks in the first half. Just 36 total yards of offense. That’s not a slump; that’s a meltdown.

And what about Travis Kelce? Mahomes’ most trusted weapon barely showed up. Four catches for 39 yards. The Eagles’ defense wasn’t just limiting him; they were erasing him. When Mahomes had his ‘worst four-play stretch’—sack, sack, pick-six—it was clear. He had no time, no rhythm, and no chance. The Chiefs were supposed to adjust. They didn’t.

They pressed the panic button before the half and never recovered.

Cowboys legend Troy Aikman wasn’t just pointing out the obvious—he was calling out the decision-making. “If you have confidence in your QB, you keep the ball in his hands. If you’re a little iffy, you play it safe.” So, what does it say that the Chiefs played it both ways? First reckless, then hesitant? If Mahomes is that guy, why weren’t they trusting him?

That’s the sabotage Aikman was getting at. The Chiefs beat themselves. They weren’t just outplayed; they made sure there was no way back. When you have Mahomes, you never take yourself out of the game. But this time, Kansas City did. And they handed Philly their redemption story on a silver platter.

Troy Aikman believes this HOLE left KC scrambling

The Chiefs didn’t just lose the Super Bowl; they got exposed. And if you ask Troy Aikman, a big reason was Andy Reid’s decision to move Joe Thuney to left tackle. “They kinda weakened the left guard spot,” Aikman pointed out. It wasn’t just about shifting a guy around—it was about throwing Mahomes’ protection into chaos.

Thuney is an elite left guard, but at tackle? Not quite the same force. And in a game where Mahomes was already running for his life, every misstep on the O-line was magnified. Six sacks. That’s not a bad day—it’s a nightmare. But here’s the kicker—Kansas City knew they had issues at left tackle.

They took Kingsley Suamataia in the second round, hoping he’d be the answer. Instead, he struggled, lost his starting job, and by the time the playoffs hit, Thuney was the emergency patch. Now, the Chiefs are right back where they started. Again. Every year, it’s the same story—who’s protecting Mahomes? Since 2019, they’ve had a different left tackle in every Super Bowl.

You don’t need a crystal ball to see how that’s working out.

So, what’s the move? Suamataia has the tools, but patience only goes so far when your quarterback is taking hits like it’s a weekly tradition. Do they give him another shot? Do they trade up for a top tackle in the draft? They have to get this right.

Patrick Mahomes can work magic, but even he can’t keep pulling off Houdini acts behind a line that’s more duct tape than steel. And if Travis Kelce really does retire soon? That’s one less safety valve when protection breaks down.

The bottom line? Kansas City’s biggest opponent this offseason isn’t another AFC contender—it’s their own roster holes. Aikman said it best: “They desperately need a viable left tackle.” The Chiefs have three Lombardis to show for their resilience, but if they don’t fix the blindside problem, they might spend more time watching the Super Bowl from home instead of playing in it.