Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid identify the Chiefs’ problems: The strong message that will get the locker room to react

The Kansas City Chiefs began their season with a setback in Sao Paulo, Brazil, falling 27-21 to the Los Angeles Chargers in their international opener but fortunately both Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid know where they went wrong.

The loss on Friday, September 5 exposed lapses in execution and intensity, leaving the quarterback and head coach determined to set the tone for the weeks ahead as they look to pick up the pace.

Mahomes, who passed for 258 yards and a touchdown while also leading his team in rushing, acknowledged the problems but stressed that this is a moment for the locker room to respond.

“We’ll go back to the drawing board and be ready to go at practice, knowing that it’s going to take everything we’ve got,” Patrick said. “We’ve got to start faster and be better on both sides of the ball and special teams.”

So the Chiefs’ signal-caller emphasized the importance of addressing the slow starts that plagued Kansas City and Reid echoed that assessment, taking responsibility for his team’s preparation and calling out the lack of energy in the opening half.

“I’ve got to make sure I get my team in a better state there coming out and playing with more emotion,” Reid said. “We were a little flat in that first half, and it cost us.”

For a franchise accustomed to setting the standard in the AFC, the message from both quarterback and coach was clear: the team must correct its issues immediately, with no margin for delay.

Chargers shine as Chiefs splutter in Brazil

The contest highlighted both the potential and the vulnerabilities of Kansas City as they look to recover from their dramatic Super Bowl LIX defeat back in February.

Early on, momentum swung against the Chiefs when Xavier Worthy exited after a collision with Travis Kelce, leaving Mahomes without one of his key targets.

Justin Herbert capitalized, completing 27 of 37 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns and his composure under pressure and late-game mobility proved decisive.

A 19-yard run in the final minutes allowed Los Angeles to drain the clock and secure victory, whilst Kansas City’s defense struggled to contain the quarterback for LA’s efficiency.

Then offensive miscues compounded the challenge. A missed extra point from Harrison Butker following Mahomes’ 11-yard rushing score left points off the board for the three-time champions.

Later, a failed two-point conversion attempt after a 37-yard touchdown strike to Kelce again left the Chiefs chasing as the win narrowly and excruciatingly slipped away from them.

Special teams offered one brief highlight when Butker converted a 59-yard field goal as the first half expired, narrowing the deficit to 13-6, but consistency remained elusive as Los Angeles steadily extended its advantage.

Herbert’s touchdown passes to Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen created a cushion that Mahomes and the Chiefs could not overcome, despite flashes of creativity from the Kansas City offense.

The Chiefs will return home to Arrowhead Stadium for a September 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 of the 2025/26 NFL season, a big night for Kansas City.