The 2024 Kansas City Chiefs weren’t the swashbuckling offense we have come to know in Patrick Mahomes’ first couple of seasons, but rather a do-what-you-have-to type of unit.

The Chiefs managed to win 15 regular-season games, with Mahomes playing his part, as did the defense and special teams, but they never really curb-stomped teams like they used to.

On a personal level, looking at the stats, Mahomes didn’t have a great season. While he did post a career-high completion percentage (67.5), he also had his lowest passing yards total (3,938) since he became a starter and also registered his lowest touchdown total (26) since 2019.

As such, when ranking all starting quarterbacks of the 2024 season, NFL.com has Mahomes coming in at No. 7, which is quite the drop from where we normally see No. 15.

“The two-time MVP was the reason why Kansas City, despite lacking explosiveness, won 15 games, secured the AFC’s top seed and took the conference title yet again,” NFL.com writes. “He consistently converted on money downs for K.C., often in ugly fashion, and did the yeoman’s work that was necessary to win games. Because of Mahomes, the Chiefs eventually found their stride late in the season, ascending at the perfect time and peaking in the AFC Championship Game, their first 30-plus-point showing of 2024. Tragically, he saved his worst for last, getting snowed under by the Eagles’ fantastic defense in Super Bowl LIX.”

Despite his “down” season, Mahomes still managed to win the most regular season games of his career (15) as the Chiefs secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC and then rattled off two playoff wins against the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills.

Of course, we know how the Super Bowl played out, and the quicker that is flushed, the better, but there’s no denying that Mahomes wasn’t up to his usual standard in 2024. And that is scary because the Chiefs still made it to the Super Bowl.

Is No. 7 justified? Is it disrespectful?

That, my friends, is in the eye of the beholder.