The sports world has been very vocal about the Kansas City Chiefs’ struggles this season, with opinions coming from every angle. The criticism from various personalities, players, and coaches reveals how loathed the team was because of the past few seasons of success.
Former All-Pro linebacker and longtime division rival Shawne Merriman was critical of the team’s slow start and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Merriman is currently an ambassador for Gambling.com appeared on the website to share his thoughts on Kansas City’s season.
“Outside of them not playing the run, I just think that people figured them out,” said Merriman. “As great as Patrick Mahomes is, it’s only so long you can keep up at that pace and be that explosive before people figure you out. The second thing is that they’re just not blocking. They’re not blocking for the passing game, not blocking for Patrick, and he’s getting hit too many times. And they can’t run the ball. Right now, they’re in shambles, man. It’s not looking good for them for the rest of the season.”
Merriman was a star for the San Diego Chargers from 2005-2010, appearing in multiple AFC West battles with the Chiefs. The three-time Pro Bowler believes this year’s Chiefs need to do more than rely on the greatness of Mahomes to succeed.
“They can get back to being contenders. I just don’t think it’s going to happen this year,” Merriman explained. “You know, they’re gonna have to spend in the offseason. But look, you pay Patrick Mahomes half a billion dollars over a certain period of time. And you don’t have the best blockers for him, they’re not protecting their investment. Patrick Mahomes is only going to take you so far by himself.”
Merriman finished his career with 45.5 sacks in seven seasons before retiring in 2012 with the Buffalo Bills. The emergence of threats throughout the rest of the AFC West has dampened the optimism regarding the Chiefs and their playoff hopes.
“The season isn’t over, and anything can happen, but even if they so happened to squeeze their way into the playoffs, which I don’t think they will because of the division, the Chargers and the Raiders are just a better team than they are,” Merriman said. “But even if they did, there’s no way they are going far. They’re just going to get beat in the playoffs. They’re going home in the first round. They don’t have what it takes to be the team that they were.”
