Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs

Through the first half of the 2027 NFL season, a surprising issue has plagued the Kansas City Chiefs: non-scripted plays—impromptu throws, unplanned runs, and ad-libbed decisions—have become a costly liability. While star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is renowned for his ability to create magic outside the playbook, this season’s unscripted moments have led to turnovers, missed opportunities, and key losses. From ill-advised deep passes into double coverage to rushed runs that hit clogged lanes, these off-the-cuff plays have disrupted the Chiefs’ offensive rhythm and erased the gains of their structured game plan. As the Chiefs fight to stay atop the AFC West, reining in non-scripted chaos has become a urgent priority. Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs breaks down the data behind the struggles, why unscripted plays are backfiring, their impact on key games, clashes with the team’s scheme, and how coaches are addressing the issue.

Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs starts with the numbers that highlight the problem. Through eight games, Mahomes has attempted 47 non-scripted passes (defined as throws outside the designed route or after extending the play beyond 3 seconds). Of those, 18 have been incomplete, 4 have been intercepted, and only 5 have resulted in touchdowns—far below his career 12% touchdown rate on unscripted plays. On the ground, non-scripted runs (either Mahomes scrambling or running backs deviating from the play call) have averaged just 2.1 yards per carry, compared to 4.5 yards on scripted runs. These plays have also led to 7 sacks, as Mahomes often holds the ball too long while looking for a big play. “We’ve always celebrated Pat’s ability to improvise, but this season it’s costing us,” said a Chiefs offensive assistant, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The numbers don’t lie—unscripted plays are no longer a strength; they’re a weakness.”

Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs delves into why these plays are backfiring more than in years past. A big factor is the Chiefs’ revamped offense: with new wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (who thrives on scripted routes) and rookie running back Elijah Mitchell (still learning the playbook), the unit lacks the familiarity needed to execute smoothly when plans go off-track. Hopkins, used to precise timing with quarterbacks like Kyler Murray, has struggled to adjust to Mahomes’ last-second decisions, leading to miscommunications on deep routes. Mitchell, meanwhile, has often missed blocking assignments when Mahomes scrambles, leaving the quarterback vulnerable to sacks. Defenses have also adapted—opponents now send extra pass rushers to force Mahomes out of the pocket early, knowing he’s more likely to make a risky throw under pressure. “It’s a perfect storm,” the assistant added. “Our new guys aren’t used to Pat’s style, and defenses are exploiting that.”

Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs covers the impact of these plays on critical games this season. The most costly example came in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills: with the Chiefs trailing 24-21 and 1:30 left, Mahomes ignored a scripted short pass to Travis Kelce (who was wide open) and instead attempted a deep throw to Hopkins, which was intercepted by Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White, sealing the loss. In Week 4 against the Denver Broncos, a non-scripted scramble by Mahomes ended with a fumble that the Broncos recovered and returned for a touchdown, turning a 10-10 tie into a 17-10 deficit the Chiefs never overcame. For the Kansas City Chiefs, these moments have turned winnable games into losses—costing them valuable standings points in the competitive AFC. “Those plays stick with you,” Mahomes admitted after the Bills loss. “I need to be smarter about when to improvise and when to stick to the plan.”

Another layer of Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs is how unscripted decisions clash with Andy Reid’s offensive philosophy. Reid’s system is built on precision—scripted plays, timed routes, and disciplined execution—and while he’s always allowed Mahomes room to improvise, he’s never tolerated reckless decisions. This season, the gap between Reid’s structure and Mahomes’ spontaneity has widened. Reid has been seen on the sidelines gesturing in frustration after non-scripted plays go wrong, and he’s adjusted practice to focus more on “plan A” execution, cutting back on drills that encourage ad-libbing. The tension was evident in Week 8, when Reid benched Mahomes for one series after a careless interception on an unscripted play. “Coach Reid believes in structure for a reason,” said former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez. “When Pat deviates too much, he’s not just ignoring the play call—he’s ignoring the work the team put in all week to prepare.” For the Kansas City Chiefs, this clash threatens the offensive harmony that’s long been a team strength.

Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs explores the steps coaches are taking to fix the issue. Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy have added more “checkdown options” to scripted plays, giving Mahomes a safe target (usually Kelce or Mitchell) if the primary route is covered. They’ve also met with Mahomes one-on-one to review film of failed non-scripted plays, highlighting moments where he could have made a better decision. In practice, the team has started running “constraint drills”—simulating pressure situations and forcing Mahomes to stick to the play call, even if he sees a potential big play. The early results are promising: in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Mahomes attempted just 3 non-scripted passes, all of which were short completions, and the Chiefs won 31-14. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the goal isn’t to eliminate Mahomes’ improvisation entirely—just to make it more controlled. “We don’t want to take away Pat’s ability to make plays,” Bieniemy said. “We want to make sure those plays help us win, not hurt us.”

Non-Scripted Plays Hurt the Kansas City Chiefs closes with the long-term stakes of fixing this issue. If the Chiefs can’t rein in unscripted chaos, they risk wasting Mahomes’ prime and falling short of playoff expectations. A more disciplined approach could also help integrate Hopkins and Mitchell faster, building the chemistry needed for a deep playoff run. For Mahomes, it’s a chance to grow as a quarterback—learning that sometimes the smartest play is the simplest one. “I’ve always prided myself on making plays when things break down, but this season taught me that there’s a time and place,” Mahomes said. “I need to be better for this team.” As the Chiefs head into the second half of the season, the future of their 2027 campaign may hinge on one key question: can Patrick Mahomes balance his creativity with the discipline his team needs? For the Kansas City Chiefs, the answer will determine whether they’re contenders or just another team struggling to find their rhythm.