Chris Canty criticised Chiefs' decision-makers following the team being eliminated from the playoff race for the first time since 2015. The ESPN expert said the organization failed Patrick Mahomes through poor roster building.
The former defensive lineman's comments came two days after Kansas City's season finished and Mahomes went under the knife for a torn ACL.
"They have not protected the franchise, which is Patrick Mahomes," Canty said on Tuesday, via "Get Up." "This year, Patrick Mahomes is the second-most contacted quarterback. Over the last three years, no quarterback has been hit more on dropbacks than Patrick Mahomes.
"During that same span, their receivers lead the league in drops and they're 22nd in rushing. So you mean to tell me that your quarterback doesn't have any protection? Your quarterback doesn't have reliable receivers and you have no reliable running game to lean on?"
Mahomes led the Chiefs to seven back-to-back AFC championship game appearances before this season.
Chris Canty slams Chiefs ownership as Gardner Minshew replaces Patrick Mahomes
Chris Canty noted every aspect of how Kansas City built its roster around Patrick Mahomes.
"That's the best way to accentuate a top-five quarterback of all time?" Canty said. "It makes no sense. Everybody that's in charge in decision-making power in Kansas City needs to look themselves in the mirror and they need to get serious about trying to do right by Patrick Mahomes by fortifying that roster and putting better supporting cast around him.
"Until they do, we will look at one of the greatest talents that we've seen at the quarterback position in NFL history and wonder why he can't get back to the level that we saw him at through the first seven years of his career."
Mahomes picked up the injury when he got twisted while scrambling late in the 16-13 loss against the Chargers. Dr. Dan Cooper handled the surgery on Monday in Dallas.
Gardner Minshew will take over under center in the team's final three games.