– Team note: Chiefs finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014, with Mahomes tearing his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14. Still, his value didn’t fade. 📊
– ESPN Top 100 value: Mahomes ranked high on a value-based list of the league’s most impactful players, landing sixteenth? No—he finished among the top group of quarterbacks, with five QBs ahead of him: Drake Maye, Dak Prescott, Matthew Stafford, Josh Allen, and Jordan Love. 🏈
– Why he’s still elite: Despite the tougher supporting cast, Mahomes ranked sixth in QBR and fifth in points above average (EPA). He also produced 23.6 EPA on scramble plays, keeping KC’s offense dangerous even when the passing efficiency wasn’t at his peak. ⚡📊
– The caveats: His accuracy rating was -3% vs. expectations (one of the tougher marks among qualifying QBs). Receivers struggled too, with a 32 team receiver score (0-99 scale) and a 7.6% drop rate (third-worst). Defenses rarely had to overload the box, happening 76% of the time. 🧩
– Rehab progress: Mahomes says rehab is going great in Kansas City after surgery on Dec. 15, with a hopeful target to be ready for Week 1 of 2026. He plans to focus on healing in KC, possibly changing the usual Texas camp rhythm to be closer to the facility. 🏥💪
– Takeaway: Even in a challenging year, Mahomes proved to be one of football’s most valuable players, and he’s setting the stage for a rapid, high-impact return in 2026. 🔥🏈
Key takeaway: Mahomes’ individual greatness shone through despite team struggles, and fans should be buzzing for his return to full strength next season. 📊⚡
