Chiefs’ loss at Denver is being pinned on KC’s refusal to run a QB sneak

When it became apparent that Patrick Mahomes had made an astonishing recovery from a terrible knee injury and would return this season, there were questions about what would happen with Justin Fields.

The Chiefs had signed Fields ostensibly to be insurance in case Mahomes wasn’t ready at the start of the season after tearing two knee ligaments in a game in December. But it was clear early in training camp that Mahomes would be ready for the season opener, even if the Chiefs never admitted as much.

What did that mean for Fields? Well, some hoped Fields would be used in short-yardage situations.

While the Eagles’ Tush Push or just an old-school quarterback sneak continue to be run by NFL teams, the Chiefs have stayed away from it since Oct. 17, 2019. On that day, Mahomes ran a quarterback sneak that went horribly wrong when he suffered a dislocated kneecap.

Somewhat ironically that happened at Empower Field at Mile High. I say that because the Chiefs trailed by four but had the ball on the Broncos’ 1-yard line Sunday with 15 seconds on the clock and a timeout. They could have run two quarterback sneaks (with Mahomes or Fields) and likely scored a touchdown.

Instead, Mahomes threw an incompletion and then running back Kenneth Walker was stopped for no gain. After a false-start penalty, the Chiefs had one last play that resulted in Mahomes being sacked and Denver won 28-24.

Many people couldn’t help but wonder about the Chiefs’ adamant refusal to call a quarterback sneak.

That included Ryan Paganetti, a former Eagles, Raiders and Jaguars coach.

“Chiefs got to 2nd and goal at the 1 with three chances to win the game,” Paganetti wrote. “I know they want to protect Pat. I really think Justin Fields coming in for sneaks could be a package they can go to in these moments.”

“Not sneaking the ball is the dumbest thing in the world,” Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame wrote on X. “The guy got hurt on a freak accident SEVEN years ago.

“Don’t want to use Mahomes? Fine. Put in Fields. Put in a RB. Put in a TE. Use Rashee Rice. I don’t care. The Chiefs just invent ways to beat themselves.”

Former Chiefs offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz wrote: “The Chiefs refusal to run QB sneaks continues to matter. Just do it man. Everyone else does it.”

Mitchell Schwartz, another former Chiefs lineman, wrote: “What an absolute EMBARRASSMENT. Can’t get a freaking yard from the 1 yard line because you refuse to sneak the ball, WITH A TIME OUT. YOU HAVE MULTIPLE CHANCES AT IT WELL DESERVED LOSS.”

Fans agreed and shared their displeasure at the lack of a quarterback sneak.

“Genuinely why do you not QB sneak. He’s not made of glass,” one wrote. “Pathetic. Never been so outraged at coaching decisions. Stop wasting Mahomes.”

Another shared this: “Reid’s refusal to have a QB sneak might cost him a division title.”

“Just start using the QB sneak like every other team,” a third wrote.

Less than a year after that horrible injury in Denver, Mahomes seemed open to running a quarterback sneak. He shared that in a social-media post in response to an online poll from Carrington Harrison of 96.5 The Fan.