Chiefs Focused On Improving Downfield Passing

What They're Saying

Nagy: "For Pat [Mahomes], we always wanna try to pick something that we can get better at, and let him really lock in on. ... We spent an inordinate amount of time breaking down [our downfield throws] this offseason, and watching it together. For what it’s worth, at the end of the Eagles game, I know the score wasn’t what we wanted, but there was a pretty good throw at the end of the year there to Xavier [Worthy], and I think that we’re excited to get back to some of that.”

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

A lack of deep completions has been a big reason for Mahomes' relatively disappointing fantasy production the past couple of seasons. He ranks dead last among 44 qualifying QBs in both average target depth (6.3 yards) and air yards per completion (2.8 yards) over the last two years. Mahomes has also registered his two lowest yards per attempt averages (7.0 and 6.8) the last two seasons.

Part of that is due to defenses playing more two-high shells against Kansas City to take away those deep shots. But personnel has been an issue, too. The Chiefs haven't had a bonafide deep threat since WR Tyreek Hill left after the 2021 season.

They added WRs Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown last offseason to address that problem. But Worthy struggled downfield, catching just three of 17 targets 20+ yards downfield. And Brown missed all but two regular-season games with a shoulder injury.

With offseason focus on the downfield passing game, a more experienced Worthy, and a healthier Brown, we could certainly see Mahomes rediscover his deep-ball magic in 2025.