Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up for one of the most grueling stretches of their season, and the star quarterback is openly expressing his frustration with the demanding schedule laid out by the NFL. The reigning two-time champions are about to embark on a whirlwind stretch of three games in just 11 days—a situation that Mahomes and other team members find far from ideal.

The Chiefs’ daunting schedule begins this Sunday when they face the Cleveland Browns. From there, they will host the Houston Texans on December 21 and then travel to Pittsburgh for a Christmas Day matchup against the Steelers. With a stellar 12-1 record, Kansas City is firmly in control of the AFC, but this upcoming slate of games is casting a shadow over their otherwise dominant season.

Mahomes’ Concerns

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mahomes didn’t hide his displeasure. “It is not a good feeling,” he admitted, according to ESPN. “I’m excited to play on Christmas to hopefully make up for what happened last year [referring to the Chiefs’ loss to the Raiders on Christmas], but you never want to play this many games in such a short period of time.”

The quarterback elaborated on the physical toll such a schedule takes. “It’s just not great for your body,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it.”

Mahomes also highlighted his year-round efforts to prepare for challenging stretches like this. “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 for this stretch by tailoring my workouts, tailoring how you practice and prepare. The coaches do a great job of taking care of us on the practice field. We practice as hard as anybody, but they know how to dial it back when needed.”

A League-Wide Challenge

While the Chiefs face an uphill battle, they are not alone in this predicament. The Texans, Steelers, and Ravens are also set to play three games over the same 11-day period. However, there is a significant difference: both the Texans and Ravens are coming off a Week 14 bye, providing them a much-needed opportunity to rest. The Steelers’ bye week, though earlier in the season, occurred in Week 9.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, haven’t had a break since their Week 6 bye. This disparity has drawn criticism from players, including defensive standout Chris Jones, who voiced his concerns about the league’s scheduling practices.

Calls for Change

Jones made it clear that he intends to raise this issue with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) during the offseason. “This is one thing I’m doing this offseason: I’m going to the NFLPA, especially with us having three games in [an 11-day] span, that we’re mandatory to have a late bye week,” he said. “With our schedule, it’s kind of awkward, to say the least. That’s a conversation to have this offseason. If a team has a schedule like that, they should get a late-season bye. We don’t need a Week [6] bye. Give it to us in Week 8, Week 10, something like that.”

The potential for injuries and player fatigue during such intense stretches underscores the importance of Jones’ argument. As the league continues to evolve, players and teams are advocating for changes that prioritize their health and well-being.

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, the Chiefs are hopeful they can navigate this difficult period successfully. Following the Christmas Day game against the Steelers, the team will finally have a week-and-a-half break before their final regular-season matchup against the Denver Broncos on January 5.

If Kansas City secures a first-round playoff bye—which they are on track to achieve, with a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC standings—it could provide Mahomes and other key players with much-needed rest. In that scenario, they might sit out the Week 18 game, giving them an extended break before the divisional round on January 18 or 19.

Conclusion

The Chiefs’ upcoming stretch of games is a stark reminder of the physical and mental demands placed on NFL players. While Mahomes and his teammates are determined to persevere, their frustrations highlight the need for the league to address scheduling concerns. With calls for more balanced bye weeks and an emphasis on player safety, the NFL may face increased pressure to reevaluate how it structures the season. For now, the Chiefs must focus on the task at hand: navigating three games in 11 days while maintaining their position as one of the league’s top teams.