Yes — a veteran defensive coach was brutally honest about it. According to the wiki (from the Patrick Mahomes page, citing Yahoo Sports), the coach said:
"Mahomes struggled even before the injury last year — held the ball too long and forced throws when it wasn't necessary. Still has a tendency to chase the big play instead of keeping the offense on schedule."
An NFL coordinator echoed a similar sentiment, noting the physical toll of the hits Mahomes took before the Week 15 ACL/LCL tear:
"I think the hits were taking the toll even before the injury. He's such a stud, but the violent hits he's taken, the big-time shots, are a thing."
The same defensive coach also acknowledged Mahomes' irreplaceable value, saying: "If they don't have him, they win three games, tops." The critique points to a 2025 season where poor mechanics, questionable decision-making, and a weak supporting cast all converged — even before the knee injury.