Jason Whitlock questions Patrick Mahomes' greatness in the post-Andy Reid era as the Chiefs eye a rebuild

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will miss the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2014, a surprising turn that could mark the end of the team’s dynastic run. The Chiefs' playoff hopes for this season were crushed on Sunday with a 16–13 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Patrick Mahomes has statistically endured the worst two-year stretch of his career, as the Chiefs have increasingly relied on defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s unit to stay competitive. That shift has sparked debate about where the two-time MVP ranks among the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

On his "Fearless" podcast on Monday, sports journalist Jason Whitlock said Mahomes was not part of his NFL quarterback “Mount Rushmore” and suggested it’s becoming less likely the quarterback will return to his previous elite form.

"I can't say that I have Mahomes in my Mount Rushmore, but I didn't have a problem with the people that did," Whitlock told Steve Kim on Monday. "I do think, particularly given how he has gone backwards these last three years, Mahomes has some work to do to get back to the level of respect he had.

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"He's just 30, and we've seen (Tom) Brady set a standard of what you can do post-30. There will be some pressure on him to come back and play at a high level for two or three years. And the problem and the real concern is I'm not sure Andy Reid will be there to help him."

Whitlock has consistently been critical of Mahomes, arguing that the praise surrounding him has become wildly exaggerated. He even hinted that much of the star quarterback's once eye-catching output is a product of playing under Andy Reid, one of the greatest offensive minds in NFL history.

Reid and Mahomes have gone 17–4 in the playoffs, reaching five Super Bowls in the last six seasons and winning three of them, including back-to-back titles.

Though critical, Whitlock believes his stance is supported by the decline in Mahomes’ production compared to previous seasons. He acknowledges Mahomes’ importance in the Chiefs’ run of success but insists the quarterback has not been the same game-changing force in recent years.

Now sidelined for the remainder of the year after tearing his ACL in Week 15, Mahomes faces an uncertain road ahead as he works to prove he can reclaim the form that once defined his legacy.

Patrick Mahomes has undergone surgery to fix his ACL tear

Patrick Mahomes underwent successful surgery on Monday night in Dallas to fix the torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The team announced that he has now started the recovery and rehabilitation process.

Dr. Dan Cooper, a respected orthopedic specialist and the Dallas Cowboys’ team physician, handled the procedure.

Although exact recovery times vary, players with similar injuries usually return within six to 12 months, meaning Mahomes will likely be ready sometime next season.

Gardner Minshew, who played the closing minutes on Sunday, will start the remaining three games for Kansas City.

Edited by Chaitanya Prakash