Chiefs' Mahomes Takes Blame for Team's Inconsistency After Broncos Loss

Quarterback admits he needs to be more consistent to lead Kansas City back into playoff contention.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 6:13pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented football game, with players and the field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in muted earth tones, blues, and greys, conveying the sense of a team struggling to find consistency.Mahomes' self-reflection on the Chiefs' inconsistency could be a pivotal moment in their season, as the team fights to regain its footing in the AFC West.Kansas City Today

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has taken full responsibility for his team's recent inconsistency, acknowledging that his own performance has been lacking at times. In a post-game interview following the Chiefs' loss to the Denver Broncos, Mahomes admitted he needs to improve his decision-making and execution to help the team find more consistency and get back into playoff position in the AFC West division.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' struggles this season have been surprising, as they were expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC. Mahomes' self-reflection and willingness to shoulder the blame could be an important step in the team turning things around and making a late-season push for the playoffs.

The details

Mahomes pointed to a key moment in the opening drive against the Broncos, where he overthrew two deep passes that could have resulted in touchdowns. He also acknowledged a risky third-quarter pass attempt that was intercepted, leading to a Broncos touchdown. The Chiefs' five losses this season have all been by eight points or fewer, highlighting their inability to win close games.

  • On April 10, 2026, the Chiefs lost to the Broncos.
  • The Chiefs currently have a 5-5 record, putting them in a challenging position to make the playoffs.

The players

Patrick Mahomes

The star quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs who has taken responsibility for the team's inconsistent play this season.

Xavier Worthy

A speedy wide receiver for the Chiefs who Mahomes failed to connect with on a deep pass.

Tyquan Thornton

Another Chiefs wide receiver who Mahomes overthrew on a deep pass.

Brandon Jones

The Broncos safety who was in position to defend Mahomes' deep pass to Worthy.

Ja'Quan McMillian

The Broncos cornerback who intercepted a pass from Mahomes in the third quarter.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm the one who needs to be more consistent. There are moments when I'm on fire, moving the ball effortlessly, but then there are times when I miss throws or fail to protect the pass. We need to find consistency to win games.”

— Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

“I should've made that throw. I knew [safety Brandon Jones] would be sitting with Xavier's speed, but I needed to give him a chance. That's on me.”

— Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

“It's going to be an uphill battle to get back into the division race. Our focus now is on making the playoffs and giving it our all. We need to learn from our mistakes and prepare for a tough opponent next week.”

— Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

“We're in a tough spot. Every week feels like a playoff game now. We need to take it one game at a time and find a way to win.”

— Nick Bolton, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs

“I shouldn't have taken that risk. I should've taken the sure points and moved on. It's a learning curve for us all.”

— Patrick Mahomes, Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

What’s next

The Chiefs' next game is against a tough opponent, and they will need to find a way to win close games if they hope to make the playoffs. Mahomes and the team will need to focus on improving their consistency and decision-making to turn their season around.

The takeaway

Mahomes' willingness to take responsibility for the Chiefs' struggles and his commitment to improving his own play could be a turning point for the team. If they can find more consistency and win close games, the Chiefs could still make a late-season push for the playoffs, but it will be an uphill battle.