The Kansas City Chiefs' decade of dominance, highlighted by a trio of Lombardi Trophies under Patrick Mahomes to cement the post-Brady dynasty, has finally met its end. On Sunday, after a disastrous 16-13 loss to the Chargers — dropping their record to 6-8 — and coupled with key AFC results, the Chiefs were mathematically eliminated from the 2025 postseason.
For the first time since Mahomes took over as the starter, Kansas City will not play playoff football, marking the end of a remarkable seven-year streak of AFC Championship appearances. The disastrous day was capped by a moment of panic: Mahomes suffered an apparent left knee injury late in the fourth quarter when he was tackled awkwardly while throwing downfield. The star quarterback was helped off the field in clear discomfort, a terrifying sight that compounded the sting of elimination. The season has collapsed under the weight of an underperforming receiving corps, the struggle to elevate the team, and now, the physical uncertainty of their franchise leader.
With the playoff dream dead and their MVP nursing a potentially serious injury, the franchise is facing its longest, and most painful, offseason since 2014 and the undeniable reality of posting its worst record since Mahomes came to town.
With their AFC title defense over, the focus shifts to just how this profoundly disappointing campaign will rank among the Chiefs' worst records in the Mahomes era.
MORE: Chiefs eliminated from playoffs after Week 15 loss to Chargers
What is Patrick Mahomes' worst season?
The Chiefs have found plenty of success since Mahomes joined their ranks in 2017, making the playoffs seven consecutive seasons since Mahomes became a starter. During that spell, they have three 12-win seasons, two 14-win campaigns and a 15-win showing in 2024.
Kansas City's worst performance under Mahomes' tutelage was an 11-6 finish in 2023, meaning that the Chiefs have clinched their worst record of the Patrick Mahomes era.
The Chiefs started the season 0-2, and after winning five of six Kansas City has had a 1-5 record dating back to October 27. With the 6-8 record, Mahomes and the Chiefs have reached rock bottom.
MORE: Latest Patrick Mahomes injury updates
Chiefs' worst records under Patrick Mahomes
Here's a look at Kansas City's season-by-season records since Mahomes became a starter.
| Years | Record | Postseason finish |
| 2018 | 12-4 | Lost AFC Championship |
| 2019 | 12-4 | Won Super Bowl |
| 2020 | 14-2 | Lost Super Bowl |
| 2021 | 12-5 | Lost AFC Championship |
| 2022 | 14-3 | Won Super Bowl |
| 2023 | 11-6 | Won Super Bowl |
| 2024 | 15-2 | Lost Super Bowl |
| 2025 | 6-8 | Missed postseason |
| Total | 96-34 | — |
MORE: How long is Patrick Mahomes out? Latest updates, recovery time on Chiefs QB
Patrick Mahomes' longest losing streak
Mahomes' longest regular-season losing streak is three games, capped off with the loss to the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.
Though he lost three consecutive games between Super Bowl 59 and the first two games of the regular season in 2025, Mahomes has never had a three-game losing streak in his career until 2025.
Chiefs 2025 schedule
Here's a look at Kansas City's final three games, which will officially be meaningless for Andy Reid and co.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Sun., Dec., 21 | vs. Titans | 1:00 p.m. |
| Thurs., Dec. 25 | vs. Broncos | 8:15 p.m. |
| TBD | at Raiders | TBD |
MORE: Complete list of Super Bowl MVPs through the years