Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Accepts Fines For Criticizing Referees

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Thursday that he accepts the fine the NFL has given him for criticizing referees after his Week 14 game against the Bills. Mahomes was visibly upset after wide receiver Kadarius Toney was called offsides on a play that would’ve won the game for Kansas City.

“I had outbursts on the sideline and everybody saw it on a big game, and so there’s going to be consequences to that,” Mahomes said. “Now you’ve just got to live with those consequences, learn from it, become better from it and not try to let that happen again. But we kind of just kept it moving. That was a couple weeks ago now, and now we’re just focused on the Raiders and how we can do whatever we can to beat them.”

Compared to his usual MVP-caliber play, Mahomes has struggled to command the Kansas City offense this season.

Many have blamed his teammates for these struggles, namely Toney alongside other struggling pass catchers. Beyond star tight end Travis Kelce and upstart receiver Rashee Rice, Mahomes has struggled to find reliable options. Despite this, however, the team is 9-5 and almost certain to make the playoffs.

For criticizing referees after the Bills game, Mahomes and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid will have to pay a combined $150,000 in fines. Reid was fined for comments to reporters he made after the game.

“Very disappointed that it ended the way it did,” Reid said after the game. “Normally I’ll get — I never use any of this as excuses, but normally I get a warning before something like that happens in a big game. [It’s] a bit embarrassing in the National Football League for that to take place.”

Reid later apologized after reviewing the tape and confirming that Toney did not check with officials that he was onside before the play began.