In the Kansas City Chiefs’ recent matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the key talking points was Patrick Mahomes’ struggles with getting sacked. Despite being one of the most elusive quarterbacks in the NFL, Mahomes was brought down multiple times during the game, leading many to wonder: who or what is to blame for his mounting sack count?

While Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and escape pressure is one of his defining traits, the high number of sacks in this game raised important questions about the offensive line, play calling, and Mahomes’ own decision-making. Let’s break down the factors that contributed to his sack total and who bears responsibility for this crucial aspect of the Chiefs’ performance.

The Offensive Line: A Mixed Bag

The first place to look when assessing sacks is the offensive line. On paper, the Chiefs have a solid offensive line, featuring players like left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and right guard Trey Smith. However, against the Eagles, they struggled to contain a fierce pass rush led by defensive stalwarts like Haason Reddick and Fletcher Cox.

While the Chiefs’ offensive line has been a strength in recent seasons, they faced one of the league’s most aggressive and talented defensive fronts in Philadelphia. In this game, they had difficulty picking up blitzes and holding their blocks long enough to give Mahomes the time he needed to survey the field.

It’s fair to say that the offensive line didn’t do Mahomes many favors, but some of the sacks also came from missed assignments or breakdowns in communication, which is ultimately the responsibility of the line. Overall, while the Eagles’ defense deserves credit for their performance, the offensive line did not do enough to keep Mahomes protected.

Play Calling and Scheme: Can the Coaches Do More?

Another key factor in Mahomes’ sack count is the play calling and offensive scheme. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have been lauded for their creativity and offensive ingenuity, but in this game, their play-calling didn’t seem to maximize the offensive line’s strengths or Mahomes’ mobility.

The Chiefs didn’t seem to adjust to the Eagles’ aggressive defensive pressure. More quick-hitting plays or creative rollouts might have alleviated some of the pressure. Instead, Mahomes often found himself holding the ball too long in the pocket, waiting for deeper routes to develop. While Mahomes’ playmaking ability often makes this approach look effective, against a defense like Philadelphia’s, it can result in costly sacks.

Additionally, there wasn’t much motion or quick releases to create easier throws for Mahomes, which could have neutralized the Eagles’ pass rush. The lack of adjustment from the coaching staff in this area might have allowed the Eagles to pin their ears back and relentlessly pursue Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes: His Playmaking and Decisions

While much of the blame for the sacks can be directed at the offensive line and coaching staff, Mahomes himself isn’t completely blameless. As talented as Mahomes is at escaping pressure, sometimes his confidence in his ability to extend plays leads to him holding the ball too long, trying to make a highlight-reel throw.

In this game, Mahomes occasionally waited too long to make a decision, which allowed defenders to close in on him. While his playmaking ability often makes this style of play successful, against top-tier defenses like the Eagles, it can backfire. Mahomes’ tendency to hold the ball and improvise has been one of the keys to his success, but it also puts him at risk of taking unnecessary sacks.

There were also moments when Mahomes could have thrown the ball away instead of taking a hit. His desire to make a play is admirable, but at times it led to him absorbing unnecessary pressure.

Conclusion: A Shared Responsibility

In the end, blaming one single entity for Patrick Mahomes taking so many sacks against the Eagles doesn’t fully tell the story. It’s a combination of factors:

The offensive line struggled to contain the Eagles’ pass rush, failing to provide Mahomes with consistent protection.
The play-calling didn’t help alleviate pressure by incorporating quicker throws or misdirection.
Mahomes, while usually a master of avoiding sacks, sometimes held the ball too long, trying to extend plays when he could have gotten rid of the ball sooner or thrown it away.

While the Eagles’ defense deserves plenty of credit for executing their game plan effectively, the Chiefs must address these issues to better protect Mahomes going forward. Whether it’s improving the offensive line’s consistency, adjusting the scheme to get the ball out quicker, or Mahomes being more decisive in the pocket, there are clear areas for improvement. Ultimately, it’s a shared responsibility—one the Chiefs must fix if they want to keep their star quarterback upright and healthy in future matchups.