If you woke up today, January 17, 2026, looking for a massive box score from No. 15, you likely noticed something jarring. The Kansas City Chiefs aren't on the field. For the first time in what feels like forever, the AFC Divisional Round is kicking off without Patrick Mahomes under center.
It’s weird.
Instead of the usual Arrowhead mist and Mahomes magic, we’re watching the Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills. It is a strange new reality for Chiefs Kingdom. The search for patrick mahomes yards today usually yields a number north of 300 and a couple of "how did he do that" highlights. Today, that number is zero.
But the story of why those yards are missing tells us everything about the most chaotic NFL season we’ve seen in a decade.
The Injury That Halted the Yardage Race
You can't talk about Patrick Mahomes and his production this year without addressing the elephant in the room. Or rather, the ligament in the ankle. Back in late 2025, Mahomes suffered a significant ligament tear—the first truly "major" injury of his career that actually forced him to the sidelines for an extended period.
He finished the 2025 regular season with 3,587 passing yards.
For most human quarterbacks, that’s a career year. For Mahomes? It’s his lowest full-season total since he took over the starting job. He was on pace to challenge the 4,000-yard mark again before the injury bug finally caught up. Honestly, the most surprising stat isn't even through the air; it’s the 422 rushing yards he notched. He was running more than ever, escaping a pocket that felt a bit more porous this year, and creating plays out of pure desperation.
Then came the Week 18 disaster against the Raiders.
If you caught that game on January 4th, you saw a shell of the Chiefs' offense. Mahomes wasn't just limited; he was out. We saw Shane Buechele and Chris Oladokun trying to navigate a 14-12 loss that officially ended a frustrating campaign. It felt like watching a blockbuster movie where the lead actor was replaced by a local extra in the final scene.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Statistical Anomalies
People get caught up in the "down year" narrative, but the nuance is in the efficiency. Despite the lower yardage, Mahomes was still doing Mahomes things.
- Completion Percentage: 62.7% (a dip from his career average of 66.5%).
- Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio: 22 TDs to 11 INTs.
- The Houston Game: This was the low point. 131 yards. Three interceptions. It was the kind of performance that makes you check your TV settings to make sure you’re actually watching the right player.
The "yards today" search is a habit for fans because, for nearly eight years, Mahomes has been the most bankable asset in sports. But the 2025-26 season showed us a team in transition. The receiving corps struggled with separation, and the reliance on Kareem Hunt—who actually had some revitalizing moments—shifted the offensive identity away from the "chuck it deep" philosophy of the Hill/Kelce glory days.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Playoffs
There's this idea that the Chiefs "collapsed." Kinda true, but mostly not. They finished 6-8 in games Mahomes started, which is a stat that feels like a typo. But look at the margins. Losses to the Bills (28-21) and Broncos (22-19) were one-score affairs where a healthy Mahomes likely finds those extra 40 yards to seal the deal.
Today, as the Bills and Broncos battle it out in the Divisional Round, the AFC landscape looks fundamentally different. Josh Allen is trying to capitalize on the vacuum left by the Chiefs' absence. Meanwhile, Mahomes is reportedly already back in the gym, targeting a 100% recovery for the 2026 training camp.
The Road to 40,000 Yards
Even with a "lost" postseason, Mahomes is sitting at roughly 35,939 career passing yards. He’s 30 years old. The math is still heavily in his favor to shatter every record in the book. If he returns to his 4,500-yard average next season, he’ll cross the 40k mark before he turns 31.
That’s absurd.
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We’ve become so spoiled by his greatness that a 3,500-yard season feels like a failure. It’s not. It’s just human.
The real insight here is how the Chiefs' front office handles this off-season. They can't afford another year where Mahomes has to scramble for 400+ yards just to keep drives alive. The "yards today" might be zero, but the focus for Kansas City is making sure that when January 2027 rolls around, Mahomes isn't watching the playoffs from his couch.
Moving Forward: What to Track
If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager already looking at 2026, keep your eyes on the Chiefs' offensive line reconstructive surgery. The yardage dip wasn't just about Mahomes' ankle; it was about the 30+ sacks he took before he finally went down.
- Monitor the medical reports coming out of KC in March.
- Watch the NFL Draft for a true "X" receiver who can win on the outside.
- Don't bet against the comeback. A rested, motivated Mahomes with a chip on his shoulder usually results in a 5,000-yard revenge tour.
The "Patrick Mahomes yards today" search will be back in the headlines soon enough. For now, enjoy the rare parity in the AFC while it lasts.