Andy Reid Takes a Dig at Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs’ Loss to Broncos?

The Kansas City Chiefs must look to run the ball more in future games.

Andy Reid Takes a Dig at Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs’ Loss to Broncos?

Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

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The biggest takeaway from the Kansas City Chiefs’ week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos is that Andy Reid did not run the ball enough, especially on 3rd and outs. However, that’s technically not true.

Reid called run plays, which turned into RPO (run play option) due to the Broncos’ constant pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The veteran signal caller changed plays in the last moment to either screens or check-down passes. Reid said:

We’re calling quite a few of the RPOs… Sometimes they get turned into passes in today’s world. You know, that’s how it goes. But we’re getting them, we’re getting them in. Now we have some hard runs where you just get up, line up, and go. Probably could call more of those.

On the surface, Reid’s words may suggest that Mahomes didn’t want to run the ball on purpose. However, that’s not true because running back Kareem Hunt had 13 carries for 59 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

Hunt was expected to take on a bigger role with Rashee Rice on IR, but he was barely involved for much of the game, making it a huge missed chance for the Chiefs. On top of that, Reid opted to use rookie Brashard Smith and offseason pickup Elijah Mitchell as receivers rather than lining them up in the backfield where they usually belong.

And yet, former Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz gave the benefit of the doubt to Reid and Mahomes.

Pat [Mahomes] threw 7 RPO reads, completed all 7, the shortest was for 3 yards, and 6 of the 7 were for 5+ and/or gained the first down. That’s WAY better than 7 handoffs in terms of efficiency and yardage. All he’s saying is that he calls more runs than the stats say (13 for Kareem), it’s just some get thrown.

According to ESPN researcher Benjamin Solak:

The 2025 Chiefs currently have an explosive rush rate on RB carries of 2.6%, Would be the lowest number for an offense this century if it holds. Just an unacceptable lack of investment in the running game in Kansas City. Scheme and personnel imo.

This is a concerning trend for the Chiefs. In a world where RBs such as Jonathan Taylor, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Javonte Williams are running the show for their respective teams, the Chiefs are missing out on making the most of Hunt’s abilities.

There’s a genuine possibility of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs failing to qualify for the playoffs

Excluding Ried’s early days in KC, the Chiefs have regularly played and won games in the postseason. They dominated the AFC West, becoming champions every time since Mahomes took over as the starter in 2018.

Andy Reid Takes a Dig at Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs' Loss to Broncos?
Patrick Mahomes (Image via IMAGO)

Moreover, the Chiefs claimed three Super Bowl victories out of five during that period. That feels like a distant memory at this point. The Chiefs are 5-5 and third in the West behind the Broncos and the Chargers.

According to The Athletic‘s metric, the Chiefs still have a 57% chance of winning the Super Bowl (via wild card), but it will drop down to 36% if they lose to the Colts next week and the Jaguars defeat the Cardinals.

The Chiefs could still finish 12-5. To achieve that goal, they must go through the Colts, Chargers, Cowboys, Broncos, and the Texans.

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