The NFL may let Patrick Mahomes off the hook after the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback was critical of the officiating in the team’s 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to the sidelines during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

“All of that said, there’s no indication Mahomes was abusive, and it sounds like the league will probably let this go,” Graziano reported. “But if it finds out something was said that crosses a line, Mahomes could end up paying a fine.”

Mahomes had been particularly frustrated with the offsides penalty on wide receiver Kadarius Toney that nullified a go-ahead touchdown.

“There was no warning throughout the entire game,” the two-time MVP told reporters. “And then you wait; there’s a minute left in the game to make a call like that. It’s tough, man. I’m at a loss for words because regardless of whether we win or lose, just at the end of the day, another game, and we’re talking about the refs, Not what we really want in the NFL for football.”

Broadly speaking, his comments were relatively tame and if anything his anger in the moment was more acute.

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Frustration appears to be growing for Patrick Mahomes <a href=”https://t.co/0z48D67jKL”>pic.twitter.com/0z48D67jKL</a>

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Patrick Mahomes very emotional on the sidelines. <a href=”https://t.co/nkq3kIvDqa”>pic.twitter.com/nkq3kIvDqa</a>

Mahomes subsequently apologized for the sideline outburst.

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Patrick Mahomes joined <a href=”https://twitter.com/cdotharrison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@cdotharrison</a> on <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheDrive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#TheDrive</a> and explained that he regrets the way he reacted on the sideline following the offside call on Toney. <br><br>FULL INTERVIEW HERE: <a href=”https://t.co/sxAe97qQni”>https://t.co/sxAe97qQni</a> <a href=”https://t.co/Fv61ilbWR1″>pic.twitter.com/Fv61ilbWR1</a>

Especially if the NFL decides against fining the veteran signal-caller, the matter appears to be closed for all intents and purposes.

The Chiefs, for their part, can’t afford to dwell on this much longer as they prepare for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots. If they were to lose to the 3-10 Pats, which would be their fourth defeat in five games, then they’d be in a full-on tailspin.

Maybe Kansas City can channel any lingering sense of injustice into its performance and close out strong over the final four weeks.