By Jeremy
It is easy to understand why Chiefs fans want to see more Cyrus Allen. When an offense scores just three points, as Kansas City did in Sunday night’s loss to Seattle, every receiver with a chance to add something different looks worth trying. But one moment before the snap captured the other side of that argument: Patrick Mahomes appeared to have to direct Allen where to line up. That is not the kind of detail a quarterback can afford to sort out on every play.
Before the 1st down incompletion to Kelce in the 2nd quarter, Mahomes is telling Cyrus Allen what the play is (he also had to go in motion from the slot on the play) pic.twitter.com/RT8Pe3hGgT
— DMac Wake (@DMacWake316) October 26, 2026
Talent only helps when everyone runs the same play
Allen’s limited role is frustrating, particularly because he has shown flashes when given an opportunity. But it would be a leap to say we know he is sitting because he has not learned the playbook. Coaches have not publicly established that as the reason. What fans can reasonably ask is whether he is ready to handle more assignments without help before the snap.
Jalen Royals belongs in that conversation, too. Reports from the Seattle game described teammates correcting his alignment on consecutive third-quarter plays. That is a concern for a receiver who is getting opportunities, not proof that either young player lacks effort. We see the mistake on Sunday; we do not see every hour they put in during the week.
Trust is about more than catching the ball
From Mahomes’ perspective, a receiver must be where the play calls for him to be—and make the same read when the defense changes the picture. If the quarterback expects one route and the receiver runs another, a promising play can become an incompletion or, worse, a turnover. That risk matters even more when an offense is already struggling to sustain drives.
None of this means the Chiefs should give up on Allen or Royals. Young receivers need game experience, and the coaching staff has a responsibility to prepare them and find manageable ways to use them. But snaps alone will not solve an alignment problem. Repetition in meetings and practice has to carry over when the huddle breaks.
Fans are right to ask for more from Kansas City’s passing game. Allen and Royals can help answer that call, but first they must make the routine parts of the job routine. Mahomes should be looking for them after the snap, not locating them before it.