Kansas City Chiefs’ Can’t Escape One Major Weakness Despite Jets Rout

The Kansas City Chiefs got back in the win column in emphatic fashion, turning their matchup against the New York Jets into a convincing 35-12 blowout at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. The victory moved Kansas City to 6-2 in the 2026 NFL season, giving the team some much-needed momentum.

However, not everything was clicking for Andy Reid‘s squad. Despite putting up 35 points and watching Patrick Mahomes eventually find his groove, the Chiefs’ offensive line remains a glaring concern. Sunday’s first half exposed a weakness Kansas City simply cannot afford to ignore: its offensive tackles are struggling to keep Mahomes clean in the pocket. The pass protection issues might not have come back to bite the Chiefs against New York, but they could spell trouble against tougher competition down the stretch.

Chiefs’ One Major Weakness Could Spell Trouble for Mahomes

The absence of Josh Simmons continues to leave a massive hole in Kansas City’s pass protection. Undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson has been holding down the left tackle spot, but his showing against the Jets raised fresh concerns about whether he can hold his own against more dangerous pass-rushing units.

Things weren’t much better on the other side of the line. Right tackle Jaylon Moore (ankle) exited in the second half and didn’t return, forcing Joshua Ezeudu into action. Before leaving, Moore had his hands full with Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft. Bailey was an absolute nightmare for the Chiefs’ offensive line, racking up two sacks, two forced fumbles, and another quarterback hit.

Until next time, @nyjets. Thanks for playing! https://t.co/aev5W0oaoU

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) November 8, 2026

One of those hits proved particularly costly. Late in the first half, Bailey got to Mahomes and appeared to leave the two-time MVP nursing a sore throwing elbow. Mahomes headed to the sideline with his right arm hanging loosely, raising immediate concerns about a potential injury. He never missed a snap, though, and continued to operate the offense without any obvious limitations beyond the constant heat he was facing in the pocket.

The Jets finished with eight quarterback hits and two sacks on Mahomes’ 34 dropbacks. That’s a troubling concern for a Chiefs offense that otherwise found plenty of rhythm and put 35 points on the board. The bigger concern, however, is what this could mean against tougher competition. Kansas City still doesn’t have a reliable answer when an elite edge rusher wins his matchup, and Bailey exposed just how vulnerable the tackles can be. The Chiefs might have escaped this one with a comfortable win, but their pass-protection woes are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

New York Jets Expose a Major Flaw in the Chiefs’ Pass Protection

The Chiefs’ offensive line continued to make life difficult for Mahomes, and the final score against the Jets arguably made the protection issues look less alarming than they actually were. Bailey gave Moore fits all afternoon, coming away with two sacks and forcing two fumbles.

Moore eventually exited with an ankle injury, adding another layer of uncertainty to Kansas City’s right tackle situation. Even in a convincing win, that’s a problem Reid cannot afford to brush aside. Mahomes simply cannot keep taking this kind of punishment and expect to stay healthy.

The two-time MVP finished with 23 completions on 31 attempts for 242 passing yards and two touchdowns. Pretty solid numbers on paper, but the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.

Kansas City’s early protection breakdowns threw the offense out of rhythm, contributed to two fumbles, and left Mahomes dealing with far too much heat in the pocket. The Jets exposed a weakness that future opponents will undoubtedly look to exploit.

If opposing defensive coordinators continue sending speed rushers after Benson and Moore, the Chiefs could have a hard time keeping their passing game on schedule. That’s particularly concerning for an offense that relies on Mahomes having enough time in the pocket to let routes develop and attack defenses downfield.

Kenneth Walker III has given Kansas City a legitimate weapon in the backfield, but the Chiefs cannot keep expecting him to bail out the offense every time the protection breaks down. A strong run game can take pressure off Mahomes, but it cannot fix a leaky offensive line. If Kansas City wants to make a serious playoff run, keeping its franchise quarterback clean has to become a priority.

 

Main Image: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images