Are Kansas City Chiefs too reliant on Patrick Mahomes ? The numbers say it all

Patrick Mahomes has long dazzled NFL defenses with his arm, but through the first five weeks of the 2025 season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback has also emerged as their leading rusher — a statistic that raises questions about the state of the team’s offensive balance.

Mahomes leading the ground game

Mahomes has amassed 190 rushing yards, topping the team’s ground chart ahead of running backs Kareem Hunt (164 yards) and Isiah Pacheco (163 yards). While quarterbacks scrambling for yards can sometimes be a display of versatility, for the Chiefs, this trend signals a deeper issue: Mahomes is frequently forced to create plays under pressure, rather than relying on the designed ground attack.

When asked about his surprising rushing output, Patrick Mahomes was candid. "However we win football games, I don't care how that looks, but it doesn't look like that's helping us right now," he said. "So, if other guys get running, and we start winning football games, I'll take that."

Offensive line struggles and reactive play

Mahomes’ rushing success has not been the result of innovative play-calling, but reactive scrambles to avoid collapsing protection. Over 28 rushing attempts, Mahomes has scored three touchdowns, but these plays often stem from necessity rather than strategy. The offensive line’s inability to provide consistent protection has forced the star quarterback into a dual role — leading both the aerial and ground attacks.

The issue became especially apparent during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kansas City surged to a 14-0 lead but faltered under penalties and missed opportunities, a recurring theme this season.

Patrick Mahomes highlighted this himself:

"We crush ourselves with penalties and mistakes. We've done that to ourselves all season long. It's been one guy here or there." Against Jacksonville, the team committed 13 penalties for 109 yards, erasing their early advantage and undermining offensive momentum.

Backfield inconsistencies

Hunt and Pacheco were expected to carry a significant share of the rushing load, yet their combined 82 carries have produced fewer yards than Mahomes’ scrambles alone. This inversion of the Chiefs’ traditional balanced attack underscores the quarterback’s growing burden. Despite averaging 120 rushing yards per game and outgaining opponents 367.4 to 321.4 yards, drives stall and red-zone efficiency has suffered, exposing vulnerabilities in a team once renowned for one-score victories.

Kansas City Chiefs’ reliance on Patrick Mahomes to salvage both passing and rushing plays reflects a precarious trend.