After another costly mistake prevented the Chiefs from a win Sunday, Stephen A. Smith thinks it’s time for public accountability for Kansas City’s struggling wide receiving corps.
Smith said on First Take Tuesday that it’s time for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to call out his receivers publicly, just days after Kadarius Toney lined up offsides to foil what would have likely been a game-winning touchdown in the closing minutes against the Buffalo Bills. In addition to that mistake, the Chiefs lead the NFL in drops this season, including some highly consequential ones in key moments that have swung the results of game. But while Mahomes has mostly deflected criticism of the unit onto himself, Smith believes that it’s time for a change in tact.
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“Enough’s enough of constantly talking about something other than where the real problem lies,” Smith said. “You could be nice about it… but you’ve got to be real at some point.”
.@stephenasmith says it's time for Patrick Mahomes to publicly call out his receivers 👀 pic.twitter.com/5rfp7kzWbr
— First Take (@FirstTake) December 12, 2023
Stephen A. has clearly seen enough of this much-maligned group.
“There have been too many instances where Patrick Mahomes has covered for his receivers, has gone up there and he has said the politically correct thing, the diplomatic thing,” Smith said. “They’re dropping touchdown passes, they’re dropping key, pivotal first down catches… you’re lining up offsides, flagrantly so.”
If nothing else, poor play by Chiefs receivers have cost the team two games: Sunday against Buffalo and the drop by Marques Valdes-Scantling that likely would’ve won Kansas City its Week 11 tilt with the Eagles.
“At some point, Mahomes has to be able to say ‘Yo, I just need us to be better. I need us to play better. My receivers, they’ve got to step it up. Period,’” Smith said.
