One stat sums up Chiefs' problems in 2023

The Kansas City Chiefs' offense in 2023 just hasn't been the same one that fans have been used to over the years.

Issues with drops, penalties, miscommunication and poor decision making has led the Chiefs to struggle with the ball this season, causing the team to fall to 9-6. This means K.C. is set to have the worst record during the era of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

And there's one stat that truly sums up the team's problems in 2023: This season, the Chiefs have earned their fewest NFL player of the week awards heading into Week 17 under Mahomes. They are also tied for their fewest offensive player of the week awards under the former MVP.

The Chiefs have earned just one player of the week award this season — Mahomes earned offensive POTW in Week 12 — with no weekly awards on defense or special teams.

Here's how it breaks down by year during the Mahomes era:

2023 (1)

• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 12 (O)

2022 (4)

• P Tommy Townsend, Week 15 (ST)
• TE Travis Kelce, Week 11 (O)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 4 (O)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 1 (O)

2021 (5)

• TE Travis Kelce, Week 15 (O)
• DL Chris Jones, Week 11 (D)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 10 (O)
• P Tommy Townsend, Week 9 (ST)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 1 (O)

2020 (6)

• P Tommy Townsend, Week 15 (ST)
• WR Tyreek Hill, Week 12 (O)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 8 (O)
• WR/RS Byron Pringle, Week 7 (ST)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 3 (O)
• K Harrison Butker, Week 2 (ST)

2019 (3)

• WR/RS Mecole Hardman, Week 17 (ST)
• K Harrison Butker, Week 9 (ST)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 2 (O)

2018 (4)

• RB Kareem Hunt, Week 9 (O)
• DE Dee Ford, Week 8 (D)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 2 (O)
• QB Patrick Mahomes, Week 1 (O)

The last time the Chiefs only had one offensive player of the week during the season was 2019. Those who followed that season will remember that the offense wasn't quite up to par compared to the season before it, though it was much better than the Chiefs' 2023 iteration.

The Chiefs only having one POTW award this season shows that the team just isn't getting superstar production out of the offensive skill position players, even Mahomes. Of course, it's not always Mahomes' fault, but he has also had his fair share of rough games this year.

What's maybe even more surprising is the team not having any defensive or special teams player of the week awards. This year's Chiefs defense has been the best version we've seen during the Mahomes era, while kicker Harrison Butker has missed just two kicks all season.

One could possibly chalk up the lack of defensive awards to the squad playing more as a cohesive unit rather than having a superstar, though there have been some weeks when one could argue that guys like defensive lineman Chris Jones or cornerback L'Jarius Sneed were deserving.

The Chiefs have two more weeks to change this stat and earn more player of the week honors, but by the way the offense has been looking, it'll take a huge turnaround or breakout for someone to do it.