Mahomes, 29, has accomplished just about everything a quarterback would want in the NFL, and did so within his first six seasons. He’s a three-time champion, two-time MVP, two-time first-team All-Pro selection and six-time Pro Bowler.

Under his watch, the Chiefs have reached the playoffs in six straight seasons and coming into Sunday were 86-23 in his regular season starts.

Not that it’s all been smooth sailing. The 2023 season presented its difficulties as the Chiefs never replaced the impact of Tyreek Hill after he was traded to the Miami Dolphins two seasons ago. In 2022, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling led the passing attack, and while neither offered anything close to the impact of Hill, both were solid enough en route to a title.

But Smith-Schuster signed with the New England Patriots that offseason and Valdes-Scantling was largely an afterthought, so Mahomes mixed the ball around to a bargain bin of wideouts that included Rashee Rice, Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore and Justin Watson.

Granted, Travis Kelce remained the best tight end in football and Mahomes creates plenty of plays all on his own. But Kansas City’s offense wasn’t as unstoppable as past. That made the Chiefs seem vulnerable, at least until they won another Super Bowl.

Kansas City appeared to retool the receiver position ahead of the 2024 campaign, adding players like Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. But when Rice was lost for the season and Brown missed significant time, the unit was again decimated until DeAndre Hopkins was added in a trade.

Any serious injury to Mahomes is a death blow for the Chiefs. He has largely avoided lengthy stints on the sideline during his career due to injuries, though Carson Wentz is at least an experienced option as the backup.

But Kansas City’s fate rests squarely on the right shoulder of Mahomes. As he goes, so go the Chiefs.