Let’s Argue: “The Chiefs should rest Patrick Mahomes for the playoffs”

Welcome to this week’s edition of Let’s Argue!

Inspired by a video series created by music reviewer Anthony Fantano, Robert Rimpson’s weekly series takes a look at hot takes, unpopular opinions, wacky predictions and more from Kansas City Chiefs fans.

“The Chiefs should rest Patrick Mahomes for the playoffs”

I know the tweet says Super Bowl, but I’m going to assume you meant the playoffs.

I understand where the concern is coming from. Earlier this year, some Chiefs fans suggested that Mahomes sit out the Thursday night game against the Denver Broncos after re-injuring his ankle. Mahomes ended up playing anyway, dislocated his kneecap and missed two games.

On top of that, the only chance the Chiefs have at getting a first-round bye is for the New England Patriots to lose to the Miami Dolphins. While this isn’t impossible, it’s not very probable. Even if the Chiefs win the second seed, they would still only get a week off. In theory, a week’s worth of rest now would be just as good as resting the first week of the playoffs. Also, don’t forget that this season, the Chiefs have a better record on the road than they do at home.

But while it makes a lot of sense logically, I just don’t see the Chiefs doing it. I don’t think it’s in Mahomes’ DNA to sit out a game when the team still has a chance (albeit small) at the second seed. His toughness and willingness to fight until the very end is what makes him Patrick Mahomes. I think changing that formula now might not lead to good things.

“The Chiefs won’t go to the Super Bowl without a first round bye”

For a lot of the same reasons, I disagree with this take. Don’t get me wrong: a first-round bye would be nice. I’m okay with the Chiefs competing until the end to get one. I just don’t think it’s the difference between an early exit and getting to the Super Bowl.

The Chiefs have a better road record than home record, have already beaten the defending champions in Foxborough and have already proven (several times) that come playoff time, home-field advantage won’t save them from their mistakes.

A week off would be helpful, but if the Chiefs need a break that badly, they could just rest the starters this weekend. If the Chiefs were fighting their way to Miami from a wild card spot, it might be another thing. But I think the third seed should be good enough to get the job done.

“I don’t want to see the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs”

Agreed. I understand the whole “let’s exorcise our demons” thing some Chiefs fans like to talk about. I don’t even want to think about taking another early exit at the hands of the Titans.

But logically, the Chiefs shouldn’t be all that worried about them. A lot of things had to go wrong in both of Kansas City’s recent losses to Tennessee. What are the odds they are that unlucky a third time? The Chiefs are a better team than the Titans — and the defense is much improved since the last time they met.

Still, Ryan Tannehill has been on fire since beating the Chiefs in Week 10. The Titans nearly upset the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Tannehill threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns without Derrick Henry.

The Titans are not to be underestimated. I, for one, will breathe a sigh of relief if they somehow miss the playoffs.

“Travis Kelce is better than Tony Gonzalez”

To me, this question comes down to whether or not you think Travis Kelce is — or will be — a Hall of Fame player. If Kelce decided to retire right now (Lord forbid!), I don’t think he would make the Hall of Fame. By that logic alone, I don’t think you can say he’s better than Gonzalez.

But I do think Kelce will eventually have Hall of Fame credentials. I also think it’ll be a lot sooner than some people think. You could argue last season (103 receptions, 1,336 yards and 10 touchdowns) was the best of Kelce’s career. Those numbers are on par with what was arguably Gonzales’ best season in 2004, in which he had 102 receptions, 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns.

While Kelce now has the advantage of catching passes from the NFL’s best player, you can also argue that the amount of talent in Kansas City’s receiving corps could be a disadvantage for Kelce.

Just the same, I think Kelce will eventually surpass Gonzalez — and I think he’ll do it very soon.

“Patrick Mahomes does too many commercials”

It wasn’t too long ago that Chiefs fans thought that the team was underappreciated by mainstream media. Now, almost every other break has a commercial with Patrick Mahomes in it.

In all seriousness, though, I understand people being fatigued from seeing Mahomes throw no-looks in every commercial he’s in — especially those who think he still has a lot to prove.

But I’d like to remind you that before his rookie season, Mahomes turned down endorsement deals because he didn’t want any hype before he played his first game in the NFL. He wanted to prove his worth on the football field first — and it worked out really well for him. He made his highlights and won the MVP award. Now you see the fruits of that labor.

It may be exhausting, but I think he’s earned it — and then some.