Chiefs wide receivers have dropped 26 passes, the most in 2023 by team

Wide receivers have dropped the ball for Mahomes and Chiefs offenseLAPRESSE

In the wake of Monday night’s clash against the Eagles, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads, navigating a season marked by unexpected challenges.

At the forefront of the struggle is the unyielding support quarterback Patrick Mahomes continues to show for his wide receivers, despite a series of crucial drops that have raised eyebrows.

Dropping the ball and dodging blame for Chiefs’ struggles

The pinnacle of this challenge was the deep ball to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, a potential game-winner that slipped through the receiver’s grasp.

However, instead of pointing fingers, Mahomes took the blame upon himself, expressing a desire to make the catch more manageable for his teammate.

In Mahomes’ own words, “I could probably have thrown it a little shorter, he was that open.”

This self-critical approach echoes Mahomes’ post-game sentiments, where he consistently refused to lay blame on his receivers.

“That didn’t just lose the game, there was a lot of stuff that happened,” Mahomes emphasized, illustrating his commitment to taking responsibility for the team’s performance.

Coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and Mahomes collectively opted for a diplomatic stance, refraining from public criticism of the struggling receiver group.

Reid acknowledged, “These are good players. We’re OK. We’ve just got to get that straight.”

Yet, the clock is ticking, with only seven games left in the regular season to rectify a fundamental issue: catching the ball.

Chiefs’ offensive struggles are symptom of something deeper

The statistics reveal a stark reality for the Chiefs-leading the league with 26 drops, with each of their three losses marred by crucial dropped passes.

From Kadarius Toney’s four drops in the season opener to Skyy Moore’s missed opportunity against the Broncos, the impact of these lapses is undeniable.

The Chiefs’ offensive performance against the Eagles underscored the frustration, with five incomplete passes, including two of Mahomes’ most impressive throws, due to drops.

A lack of concentration and the anticipation of hits from defenders have contributed to this issue, despite dedicated practice drills designed to hone receivers’ skills.

A key concern is the Chiefs’ struggle to force defenses to adjust their coverage.

Mahomes’ deep passes, a trademark of the Chiefs’ offense, have yet to find success this season, with a 0-for-9 record and three interceptions on passes exceeding 35 yards.

As Nagy pointed out, “Production-wise, he’s not where he was last year.”

Despite the offensive downturn, there’s a silver lining for the Chiefs.

The team still contends for the No. 1 seed in the conference, with winnable games ahead.

The challenge lies in overcoming offensive inconsistencies, and the upcoming road stretch will test the team’s resilience.

As the season progresses, Mahomes’ leadership and the receivers’ ability to rise to the occasion will determine whether the Chiefs can reclaim their Super Bowl glory in this years’ playoffs.