Patrick Mahomes is voicing his frustration with the grueling schedule the Kansas City Chiefs face as they wrap up the regular season. The Chiefs are set to play three games in just 11 days—a daunting stretch that includes matchups against the Browns, Texans, and Steelers, with the last game falling on Christmas Day. Reflecting on the toll this schedule takes, Mahomes didn’t hold back about how challenging it is for both the team and his body.
“It’s not a good feeling,” Mahomes admitted. The memory of last year’s Christmas Day loss to the Chargers still lingers, but this year, the quarterback is determined to turn things around. “I’m excited to play on Christmas to hopefully get back from what we did last year. But you never want to play this many games in such a short time. It’s just not great for your body. At the end of the day, it’s your job. You have to come to work and do it.”
Mahomes highlighted his year-round commitment to preparing for such demanding stretches. He credited the Chiefs’ coaching staff for managing practices to balance intensity with recovery. “All you can do is focus on the game and the practice you had that day. I try to prepare my body all year long by tailoring my workouts and how I practice. The coaches know when to push us and when to dial it back.”
Star defender Chris Jones is equally frustrated with the scheduling, pointing out that the Chiefs’ early bye week in Week 6 has left them with little relief heading into this punishing run. Jones, who plans to address the issue with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) in the offseason, argued that teams facing such intense schedules should receive later bye weeks. “We don’t need a Week 6 bye,” Jones said. “Give it to us in Week 8, Week 10, something like that.”
Despite the challenges, the Chiefs remain laser-focused on securing their spot at the top of the AFC. If they can clinch the No. 1 seed, they’ll earn a much-needed bye week during the Wild Card round, providing a crucial opportunity to rest and recover before the playoffs. For now, though, the Chiefs must dig deep to navigate this demanding stretch, knowing the stakes are higher than ever.
Patrick Mahomes Opens Up on Chiefs’ Closing Stretch: “It Doesn’t Feel Good”
