Patrick Mahomes is still one of the NFL’s most dangerous quarterbacks, even after a torn ACL and a rocky stretch for the Chiefs. His record, his return to the field and the way defenses still plan around him all support that. Here is the case, with the caveats.
The Resume
Over the past decade, Kansas City has reached five Super Bowls and won three of them with Mahomes at quarterback. Before 2025, the Chiefs had made the playoffs 10 straight seasons, a run that ended when they went 6-11 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2014.
The Comeback
Mahomes tore his left ACL in December 2025 and was back for Week 1 of 2026, when the Chiefs beat Denver 31-10. Through six games he had thrown for about 1,470 yards and nine touchdowns with a QBR near 66, according to ESPN. Running back Kenneth Walker III, added in the offseason, gives him a new weapon.
The Recent Struggles
The Chiefs have now lost back-to-back games. They fell 20-3 at Seattle, then lost 28-24 at Denver on November 1, and sit at 5-2. The offense has been less explosive than in the past, which is why the question is fair, but a two-game skid is not a decline in a quarterback’s ability. Our look at the Chiefs’ road back to the Super Bowl explains the wider picture, though that article was written before the Denver loss.
What Is Ahead
Kansas City hosts the Jets on November 8, visits Atlanta on November 15, hosts Arizona on November 22 and plays at Buffalo on November 26 (US time). Those games will show whether Mahomes can restore the Chiefs’ scoring. For another contender’s story, see our piece on the Bills’ Super Bowl case.
The Verdict
“Most dangerous” is a judgment, but a healthy Mahomes with a playoff-level supporting cast is still a threat to any team. The rest of the schedule will test whether that remains true. Standings and stats change weekly, so check the latest numbers.
Sources: ESPN, NFL.com, FOX Sports.