"A Decline": Patrick Mahomes Questioned After Worst Offensive Display In Years

NFL legend raises alarm over Patrick Mahomes' form© Instagram/@patrickmahomes

Patrick Mahomes just had one of the quietest afternoons of his career, and a former Super Bowl champion wasted no time calling it a trend. Seattle beat Kansas City 20-3, and the Chiefs never reached the red zone. Mahomes threw no touchdowns and one interception. Asante Samuel then asked on X whether the Chiefs are real contenders. His answer was blunt. The Chiefs now sit seventh in the Week 8 power rankings, and Samuel says the next five weeks will settle the argument.

Asante Samuel's Patrick Mahomes decline take

Samuel won two Super Bowls as a player, so his words carry weight in locker rooms. He posted, "Are the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl-bound, or are they overrated? The next five weeks should tell the story. I think Mahomes is on a decline."

The numbers behind the claim are ugly. Mahomes went 19 of 33 for 165 yards. Kansas City managed 213 total yards and 11 first downs, and three points is the fewest in a Mahomes start since 2021. Seattle held the ball for nearly 36 minutes and converted 11 of 16 third downs. That kept Mahomes on the bench for long stretches.

The Seahawks also pressured him all day. They took away the deep shots, and the run game gave no relief. Kenneth Walker III, facing his old team, gained only 36 yards on 14 carries.

Why the Chiefs offense stalled against Seattle

Not every problem came from the quarterback. Harrison Butker missed from 58 yards before halftime, then missed from 45 yards later. He missed another field goal to end an 11-play fourth-quarter drive that had given Kansas City a real chance to climb back.

Still, Mahomes took part of the blame. "After watching the film, I think I should have more confidence. I moved sometimes when I didn't necessarily have to, moved myself into pressure. I created some of those pressures," Mahomes said, per Sleeper Chiefs on X. "I have to have confidence those guys are going to hold up."

That reads like a quarterback who sees a fixable flaw, not a fading arm. Leaving a clean pocket early is a habit, and habits can change. A single game with a poor kicker, a tough road crowd and a defense that knew the plan does not prove a decline. Five games might.

Andy Reid also has work to do. His offense needs quicker throws and a few designed shots to break a defense's rhythm. If those fixes show up, Samuel's take will age badly. If they do not, the doubts will grow louder.