Patrick Mahomes knows exactly what people are saying about the Kansas City Chiefs’ reluctance to dial up a quarterback sneak, and he’s well aware of the growing chatter surrounding the teams short-yardage game.
The Chiefs came up short against the Broncos in the Mile High City on Sunday, despite getting multiple cracks at the end zone in the final minute of regulation. With the game on the line, Kansas City couldn’t punch it in, putting its goal-line playcalling right back under the microscope.
There’s also a growing sense that the Chiefs are trying to keep Mahomes’ legs fresh by limiting his rushing workload. However, it’s still too early to suggest Kansas City is deliberately protecting its franchise QB or shifting toward a pass-heavy approach as a result.
Are the Chiefs Protecting Patrick Mahomes’ Mobility After His Devastating Knee Injury?
There is, however, an interesting trend worth keeping an eye on: Mahomes isn’t using his legs nearly as much as we’re accustomed to seeing. For a quarterback who has built his game around extending plays, escaping pressure, and making defenses pay outside the pocket, the dip in rushing production is hard to ignore.
Patrick Mahomes provides an update on his left knee:
“I feel great … I really wanted to play today … I’ll wait until Coach Reid lets me go, but I’m ready … I’ll be trying to play next week … I’m going to be ready to go for that 1st game of the year, God willing”
#Chiefs https://t.co/Ca8fKniHHo
— Mark Poulose (@MarkPoulose) August 23, 2026
Through Week 8 (November 1, 2026), Mahomes has appeared in seven games, recording 21 rushing attempts for 77 yards and one touchdown. He’s averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, which comes out to roughly three attempts and 11 rushing yards per game.
But here’s where things get interesting: The decline has been pretty noticeable. Mahomes logged seven rushing attempts in Week 1. Across the six games since, he’s averaged just over two attempts per game. In other words, Kansas City hasn’t exactly been dialing up designed QB runs or asking its franchise quarterback to take off and run at every opportunity.
A big reason could be Kenneth Walker III’s emergence as the engine of the Chiefs’ ground game. Walker has racked up 770 rushing yards on 141 carries, averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per tote. With a legitimate workhorse in the backfield, Kansas City doesn’t need Mahomes to play Superman on the ground every Sunday.
If the coaching staff is looking to take some of the physical toll off its franchise QB, cutting down on designed runs and unnecessary scrambles would certainly make sense. Walker gives the Chiefs a reliable way to move the chains without putting Mahomes in harm’s way on every other drive.
Still, there’s a difference between spotting a trend and establishing an intention. Mahomes’ declining rushing volume doesn’t automatically mean the Chiefs are deliberately protecting his legs. Without confirmation from Andy Reid, Mahomes, or the team’s medical staff, that theory remains speculation rather than an established game plan.
Mahomes’ Rushing Numbers Reveal a Shift in the Offense
The bigger argument isn’t simply that Mahomes is airing it out more. It’s that the Chiefs may be trying to keep his mobility in their back pocket for high-leverage situations rather than making it a regular part of their offensive game plan. Kansas City isn’t abandoning the ground game altogether. It’s just shifting more of the workload to Walker III instead of asking Mahomes to do the heavy lifting with his legs.
Of course, there’s a bigger reason why this conversation is gaining traction. Mahomes’ return from a serious left knee injury was one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Chiefs throughout the offseason. The three-time Super Bowl champion tore both his ACL and LCL in his left knee during Kansas City’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last December, bringing his 2025 campaign to a premature end.
He underwent surgery shortly after and spent the following months grinding through an extensive rehab process to get back on the field. Even after making his return, Mahomes acknowledged that his recovery journey would extend well beyond his comeback.
Last Word on Mahomes
He’s also admitted that the injury has left him more conscious of the possibility of getting hurt again. That adds another layer to the conversation surrounding his reduced rushing workload.
So, are the Chiefs deliberately protecting their franchise quarterback’s golden leg? Is Andy Reid keeping Mahomes out of harm’s way until the playoffs, or is this simply an offensive adjustment with Walker taking over as the workhorse? There’s certainly a conversation to be had.
Main Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
