Since Patrick Mahomes became the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback, the team has reached five Super Bowls in seven seasons, securing three championships. However, their recent 40-22 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59 stands out as a particularly brutal setback, marking one of the most lopsided losses in Mahomes’ career and leaving the franchise searching for answers ahead of the Patrick Mahomes Chiefs comeback season.
The Depth of the Blowout and Its Impact on Mahomes
The Eagles dominated the game, holding a 40-6 lead midway through the third quarter, a deficit possibly unprecedented for Mahomes at the professional level. Prior to this, Mahomes had lost only a handful of playoff games by large margins, making this loss exceptionally stinging for a player accustomed to success. With just four postseason losses in his career—including two overtime defeats in the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/afc/”>AFC Championship and two previous Super Bowl blowouts—this defeat has undeniably shaken the team’s confidence.
Joe Theismann Predicts a Motivating Response
Former NFL MVP Joe Theismann has expressed strong belief that this severe loss will ignite motivation for both Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. He anticipates a highly competitive season after witnessing the players’ resolve to move past last year’s disappointment.
“I think we’ll see a terrific season. I think also you’ll see the same thing from Travis Kelce. I think you’re gonna see two men who are determined to put last year behind them, and play the kind of football that we expect from them,”
—Joe Theismann, Super Bowl winner
Heavy Playoff Load Puts Chiefs Ahead but Wears Them Down
Theismann also highlighted the toll taken by the Chiefs’ consistent postseason appearances. Since 2018, Kansas City has played in 21 playoff games, significantly more than any other team, including the second-place Buffalo Bills with 13. This extended exposure means the Chiefs have effectively played more football than many rivals, reducing their offseason recovery time and increasing fatigue.
“The other thing too is, people don’t realize this, the Kansas City Chiefs have played almost, if not more, an entire season longer than almost every other team in the NFL… They’ve gone to five Super Bowls! With all those extra games, it’s less and less in the offseason. I think they come back renewed, I think they come back pissed off, to be perfectly honest with you. They didn’t like the way things went.”
—Joe Theismann, Super Bowl winner
Importance of the Offensive Line Highlighted by Past and Present Struggles
The Chiefs’ Super Bowl 59 collapse placed a spotlight on their underperforming offensive line, which allowed six sacks and pressured Mahomes 18 times. This vulnerability stands in contrast to previous key losses, such as a 31-9 defeat against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020 where Mahomes faced fewer sacks but more pressures. Theismann stressed that a strong offensive line is crucial to winning championships, as no matter the talent on offense or defense, conditions at the line of scrimmage often determine the outcome.
“The Philadelphia game, that Super Bowl looked just like the game against Tampa Bay. Which only emphasized the point that you need an offensive line, if you think you have a chance to try and win a championship. Those guys up front. The guys on defense and the guys on offense. Right up front, that’s where it’s going to make the difference. You can have all the great players you want.”
—Joe Theismann, Super Bowl winner
Learning from History: The Legacy of Great Offensive Lines
Theismann’s insights carry weight because of his experience with the Washington Redskins of the 1980s and early 1990s, a team that won three Super Bowls largely thanks to an iconic offensive line known as the Hogs. This unit featured stellar players such as Pro Bowl center Jeff Bostic, Hall of Fame guard Russ Grimm, three-time First-Team All-Pro tackle Joe Jacoby, and Pro Bowl guard Mark May, highlights that demonstrate the critical role offensive linemen play in championship success.
Chiefs’ Offseason Moves Raise Concerns Over Line Stability
Despite the evident need to strengthen their offensive front, Kansas City’s offseason decisions may raise doubts. The team drafted a tackle in the first round, but did not make other substantial improvements. More worryingly, they traded away Joe Thuney, arguably their best offensive lineman. The impact of this move remains to be seen but adds to the urgency for the Chiefs to address their line issues if they hope to fulfill their ambitions in the coming season.
The Road Ahead for Mahomes and the Chiefs
Following the humiliating Super Bowl loss and the exposure of their weaknesses, the Chiefs enter their next campaign under unusual pressure to prove their resilience. Fans and analysts alike expect them to tap into the fierce determination highlighted by Joe Theismann and rely heavily on improving the trenches to support Patrick Mahomes. How they respond will define this Patrick Mahomes Chiefs comeback season and determine if their past championship dominance can continue amidst mounting challenges.