The Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021 left many fans and analysts wondering: Did the Chiefs fail Patrick Mahomes? After all, Mahomes had just signed the most lucrative contract in sports history, and the team had an offense that seemed unstoppable. But despite Mahomes’ incredible talent, the Chiefs were dominated in that Super Bowl, and questions began to swirl about whether they had done enough to support their star quarterback.

To break it all down, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel—who has played with Mahomes in Kansas City—offers his insight into the loss and whether the Chiefs’ organization truly failed their superstar QB.

The Offensive Line Struggles

One of the most glaring issues in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss was their offensive line play. Going into the game, the Chiefs were dealing with major injuries to both starting tackles—Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz—leaving backups to protect Mahomes. The Buccaneers, led by defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, took full advantage of this weakness, and their defense dominated from the very first snap.

Chase Daniel highlights that no matter how good a quarterback is, if he doesn’t have protection, it’s incredibly difficult to perform at a high level. Mahomes was constantly under pressure, sacked three times, and forced into making erratic throws. While Mahomes still displayed his trademark ability to extend plays and make jaw-dropping throws, the pressure took its toll. Even the great Mahomes, with his unique skill set, couldn’t overcome the constant barrage of defenders.

Chase Daniel’s Take: “It’s not just about the QB. Mahomes can work magic on the field, but when he’s running for his life, there’s only so much he can do. The offensive line was a huge issue, and that’s where the Chiefs fell short.”

Play Calling and Offensive Adjustments

Another area where many believe the Chiefs failed Mahomes was in their play calling and lack of adjustments during the game. The Chiefs’ offense, which had been explosive all season, struggled to establish any rhythm against the Buccaneers. A lot of that can be attributed to the way the Bucs were able to neutralize the Chiefs’ big-play potential, particularly Tyreek Hill, who had torched the Buccaneers in their previous regular-season matchup.

Chase Daniel points out that the Chiefs didn’t make the necessary adjustments as the game wore on. Mahomes is a quarterback who thrives on quick passes, play-action, and improvisation, but the Bucs effectively took away those options by covering deep routes and forcing Mahomes into checkdowns or rushed throws.

Chase Daniel’s Take: “As a quarterback, I know how important it is to have an offensive game plan that adapts. The Chiefs didn’t adjust enough to what the Buccaneers were doing. You have to change things up when things aren’t working.”

Lack of Support from the Running Game

Throughout the season, the Chiefs’ running game had been inconsistent, and that trend continued in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs were only able to gain 107 total rushing yards, and most of that came late in the game when the outcome had already been decided. Patrick Mahomes is at his best when the defense is forced to respect the run, allowing him to take advantage of play-action and deeper passing routes. But without a strong running game, Mahomes didn’t have that luxury.

Chase Daniel emphasizes that an effective running game is crucial to a quarterback’s success, especially when facing an aggressive defense like Tampa Bay’s. If the running game had been more productive, the Chiefs could have helped Mahomes stay balanced and allowed him to open up the passing game. Instead, they leaned heavily on Mahomes to create plays, which is an unfair burden to place on any quarterback.

Chase Daniel’s Take: “It’s hard to expect a quarterback to do it all himself. The Chiefs didn’t establish the run, and that gave the Bucs’ defense the chance to focus solely on Mahomes. He didn’t have the support he needed to keep the defense honest.”

The Play of the Buccaneers Defense

While the Chiefs’ struggles were certainly a factor, it would be remiss not to credit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defense for their exceptional performance in the Super Bowl. The Bucs, under the leadership of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, executed a brilliant game plan. They rushed only four players most of the time, dropping seven into coverage and using complex zone schemes to confuse Mahomes.

Chase Daniel notes that while Mahomes was under constant duress, a lot of that pressure came from the Bucs’ disciplined defensive line and their ability to cover receivers effectively. The Bucs’ defense took away Mahomes’ first options, and when the pocket collapsed, there were rarely open lanes for Mahomes to exploit.

Chase Daniel’s Take: “The Buccaneers’ defense was incredible. They played great coverage, and they were able to get pressure with just four players. That’s how you disrupt Mahomes, and they did it better than anyone else.”

Coaching and Team Leadership

At the end of the day, the Chiefs’ coaching staff, led by Andy Reid, is one of the best in the NFL. But the loss in the Super Bowl raised questions about how well the coaching staff adapted to the challenges presented by the Bucs’ defense. There wasn’t enough creativity in terms of offensive schemes, and there was a lack of in-game adjustments that could have helped Mahomes succeed.

Chase Daniel, who has been coached by Reid and other NFL coaching staffs, says that part of the Chiefs’ failure was not putting Mahomes in a position to succeed. Sometimes, you have to simplify things for your quarterback when the defense is dictating the game, and that didn’t happen as much as it could have.

Chase Daniel’s Take: “Coaching is all about putting your players in the best positions to succeed. Mahomes didn’t have the same freedom to be himself as he usually does. A lot of that comes down to play calling and adjustments throughout the game.”

Conclusion: Was Mahomes Failed?

While there were definitely areas where the Chiefs could have improved, such as in the offensive line and run game, it’s hard to pin the loss entirely on the organization failing Mahomes. The Chiefs had a tough matchup against a well-coached and disciplined Buccaneers team that executed nearly flawlessly. However, it’s clear that Mahomes didn’t have the support he needed from his teammates and coaching staff in that Super Bowl.

Chase Daniel’s analysis highlights the importance of a strong offensive line, a balanced attack, and timely adjustments when facing a defense like the Buccaneers’. Mahomes was still phenomenal under duress, but without the right pieces around him, even the most talented quarterback in the league can only do so much.

In the end, while the Chiefs didn’t exactly “fail” Mahomes, the loss was a reminder that a championship-winning team requires a full team effort. For Mahomes and the Chiefs, the road to redemption in the next season will require better protection, stronger game plans, and overall support for their superstar QB.