The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up a difficult 2025 NFL regular season on a sour note, marked by injury and underwhelming performance. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down with a devastating ACL tear during the team’s Week 15 contest, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.
As a result, the Chiefs concluded with a disappointing 6-11 mark, missing the postseason for the first time in over a decade.
Kansas City had enjoyed an extraordinary run of success, qualifying for the playoffs every year since 2014. Under Mahomes as the primary starter beginning in 2018, the franchise advanced to the AFC Championship Game annually, cementing its status as a modern dynasty. This abrupt end to that streak highlighted the fragility of even the most dominant teams when key players are sidelined.
In postseason passing touchdowns, Mahomes ranks second all-time with 46, far behind the legendary Tom Brady, who holds the record at 88. The distance between these two is substantial, reflecting Brady’s prolonged excellence across multiple eras.
Trailing closely behind Mahomes is veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who has accumulated 45 playoff touchdown passes. Rodgers could equal Mahomes’ total by throwing just one scoring pass in the upcoming wild card game against the Houston Texans on Monday night.
Should Rodgers achieve that milestone, he might claim the second spot outright temporarily. However, any lead would probably be short-lived given the differences in their career stages.
At 42 years of age and entering his 21st professional season, Rodgers is clearly approaching the end of his Hall of Fame trajectory. Questions linger about whether he will suit up again in 2026, as retirement looms large for the four-time MVP.
In contrast, the 30-year-old Mahomes is focused on rehabilitation following his recent surgery, aiming for a strong return next fall. This marks the initial occasion in his standout career—where he has earned two MVP awards—that he will benefit from a complete offseason dedicated to recovery and rest, free from the demands of deep playoff runs.
Pittsburgh secured their playoff berth dramatically, clinching a spot with an exciting Week 18 triumph over the division rival Baltimore Ravens. In that pivotal matchup, Rodgers demonstrated his poise by going 31-for-47 through the air, amassing 294 yards and delivering a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown pass to seize the lead.
The Steelers’ postseason journey begins with a home matchup against the Texans, scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday. This contest closes out the wild card weekend, offering Rodgers a prime opportunity to add to his legacy while the younger Mahomes watches from the sidelines, plotting his comeback.
As the NFL shifts into playoff mode, the contrast between these two elite quarterbacks underscores the league’s generational transition. One fights to extend a remarkable career in the spotlight, while the other prepares to reclaim dominance after an unexpected setback.
Fans will undoubtedly watch both stories unfold with great interest in the days ahead.
