Patrick Lavon Mahomes II[4] (/məˈhoʊmz/mə-HOHMZ;[5] born September 17, 1995) is an American professionalfootballquarterback for theKansas City Chiefs of theNational Football League (NFL). Since becoming the Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2018, he has led the team to seven consecutiveAFC Championship Game appearances and fiveSuper Bowl appearances, winning three. He is one of only five quarterbacks in NFL history to win three or more Super Bowls as a starter.[6] Mahomes is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.[7][8][9] He is often considered the best quarterback of his generation, with many outlets ranking him as the league's top player at the position.[10][11][12][13][14][15]
Mahomes playedcollege football for theTexas Tech Red Raiders, winning theSammy Baugh Trophy as a junior after leading theFBS in passing yards and totaltouchdowns. He was selected 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the2017 NFL draft and spent his rookie season as the backup toAlex Smith. In 2018, after the Chiefs traded Smith, Mahomes became the starter and threw for 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 12interceptions. He became the first quarterback to achieve over 5,000 passing yards in both college and the NFL, and joinedPeyton Manning as the only players to record 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in an NFL season. For his performance in his first season as a starter, he won theNFL Offensive Player of the Year andNFL Most Valuable Player awards, becoming one of fourblack quarterbacks to win the AP MVP award.[c]
In the 2019 season, Mahomes led the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl in 50 years, winningSuper Bowl LIV. Mahomes was awarded theSuper Bowl MVP for his performance, becoming the youngest quarterback and the second Black quarterback to earn the honor.[d] In 2020, Mahomes signed a 10-year contract extension worth over $450 million, making it one of thelargest contracts in sports history. That season, the Chiefs returned to the Super Bowl but lost inSuper Bowl LV. In the 2022 season, Mahomes led the league in passing yards and touchdowns, won NFL MVP, and earned Super Bowl MVP after winningSuper Bowl LVII. He won his third Super Bowl MVP after winningSuper Bowl LVIII the following year, leading the Chiefs to back-to-back titles. In the 2024 season, he led the Chiefs to their third straight Super Bowl but lostSuper Bowl LIX, falling short of a historicthree-peat.
In football, he had 4,619 passing yards, 50 passingtouchdowns, 948 rushing yards, and 15 rushing touchdowns as a senior in high school. In baseball, he threw ano-hitter with 16strikeouts in a game his senior year.[31] He was named theMaxpreps Male Athlete of the Year for 2013–2014.[32]
Mahomes was rated byRivals.com as a three-star football recruit and was ranked as the 12th bestdual-threat quarterback in his class. He received offers from Texas Tech, Rice, and Houston.[33] He committed toTexas Tech University.[31][34] Mahomes was also a top prospect for the2014 Major League Baseball draft, but he was not expected to be selected high due to his commitment to Texas Tech.[35][36][37] He was selected by theDetroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB draft, but he did not sign a contract.[38]
Mahomes entered his freshman season atTexas Tech as a backup toDavis Webb.[39] In the Red Raiders' fourth game, he saw his first career action against theOklahoma State Cowboys after Webb left the game with an injury, completing two of five passes for 20 yards for one touchdown and aninterception.[40] After Webb was again injured, Mahomes started his first career game against theTexas Longhorns.[41] He completed 13 of 21 passes for 109 yards in the 34–13 loss.[42][43] Mahomes remained the starter for the season's final three games. Against theBaylor Bears, he threw for aBig 12 freshman record 598 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in the 48–46 loss.[44] For the season, he passed for 1,547 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions in seven games.[45]
Mahomes began his sophomore season at Texas Tech as the starting quarterback. Mahomes helped lead the Red Raiders to a 7–6 season with numerous productive outings throughout the season.[48] He recorded ten games going over 350 passing yards, including four games going over 400. He passed for at least three touchdowns in eight of the games, including a five-touchdown performance against theIowa State Cyclones on October 10.[49] Overall, in the 2015 season, he led the Big 12 Conference with 364 pass completions on 573 attempts for 4,653 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.[50][51]
Mahomes appeared in three games as a baseball player, recording no hits in two at bats, and three runs allowed, as a pitcher.[52]
Junior year
Prior to the start of the 2016 season, Mahomes announced that he was leaving baseball to focus on football.[53][46]
Mahomes had a very productive junior season. In the month of September alone, Mahomes passed for 18 touchdowns to three interceptions while rushing for four touchdowns. He averaged 442.5 passing yards per game that month, which included a 540-yard game against theArizona State Sun Devils in the Red Raiders' second game.[54] Mahomes started the month of October with 504 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and three rushing touchdowns in a losing effort to theKansas State Wildcats.[55] On October 22, Mahomes set multiple NCAA, Big 12, and school records in a66–59 loss to theOklahoma Sooners at home. Mahomes broke the NCAA FBS records for single-game total offense with 819 yards. He tied the NCAA record for single game passing yards with 734. He fell one short of the record for most attempts at 88. Overall, the game set NCAA records for most combined yards of total offense with 1,708 combined passing yards, and total offense by two players (the other was Oklahoma quarterbackBaker Mayfield).[56] The 125 combined points are the second most all time involving a ranked team.[56] Following the Oklahoma game, the Red Raiders defeated theTCU Horned Frogs before dropping three consecutive games to finish outside bowl eligibility with a 5–7 record. In his final game with Texas Tech, Mahomes finished with 586 passing yards and six touchdowns in a 54–35 victory over theBaylor Bears.[57]
Mahomes finished the season leading the country in yards per game (421), passing yards (5,052), total offense (5,312), points responsible for (318), and total touchdowns (53).[58] For his performance, he was awarded theSammy Baugh Trophy, given annually to the nation's top college passer, joining head coachKliff Kingsbury,Graham Harrell, andB. J. Symons as other Red Raiders to have won the award.[59] He was named an Academic All-America second team by theCollege Sports Information Directors of America.[60]
Mahomes announced on January 3, 2017, that he would forgo his senior year and enter the NFL draft.[61]
TheKansas City Chiefs selected Mahomes in the first round (10th overall) of the2017 NFL draft.[71] The Chiefs, originally slated to have the 27th overall selection, traded up in the draft with theBuffalo Bills for the 10th overall selection. The Chiefs traded their first round pick and a third round pick in 2017, and the Chiefs' first round pick in the2018 NFL draft for the selection.[72] He was the first quarterback selected by the Chiefs in the first round since selectingTodd Blackledge seventh overall in the1983 NFL draft.[73] On July 20, 2017, the Chiefs signed Mahomes to a guaranteed four-year, $16.42 millioncontract that included asigning bonus of $10.08 million.[74]
The Chiefs announced on December 27 that, with a playoff spot and the fourth seed in the playoffs secured, they would rest starterAlex Smith and give Mahomes his first career start in their week 17 game against theDenver Broncos on December 31.[75] Mahomes played most of the game and helped lead the Chiefs to a 27–24 win, completing 22 of 35 passes for 284 yards and one interception in his NFL debut.[76][77]
On January 30, 2018, the Chiefs announced they had agreed to trade Smith to theWashington Redskins, elevating Mahomes as the new starting quarterback.[78] In his first game as the Chiefs starting quarterback, the Chiefs beat the division rivalLos Angeles Chargers by a score of 38–28.[79] Mahomes threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions and a 127.5 passer rating and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[80] His first career touchdown came on a 58-yard pass to wide receiverTyreek Hill in the first quarter.[81]
The following week against thePittsburgh Steelers, Mahomes threw for 326 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 154.8 in the 42–37 victory. After throwing his fifth touchdown in the game, he broke the NFL record for most touchdown passes in a quarterback's first three career games. His sixth touchdown pass broke the NFL record for touchdown passes in a season's first two weeks.[82] For his performance against the Steelers, Mahomes won his second consecutive AFC Offensive Player of the Week award, the first quarterback sinceTom Brady in 2011 to start the season with back-to-back player of the week awards.[83] Mahomes was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.[84]
Mahomes's locker at Arrowhead Stadium
In week 4, against theDenver Broncos onMonday Night Football, he passed for 304 yards and a touchdown and had one rushing touchdown in the 27–23 comeback victory.[85] In week 6, against theNew England Patriots, he passed for 352 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 43–40 loss onSunday Night Football.[86] In the following game, Mahomes and the Chiefs bounced back with a 45–10 victory over theCincinnati Bengals. In the victory, he passed for 358 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.[87] In the next game, a 30–23 win over the Broncos, Mahomes recorded a third consecutive game with four passing touchdowns on 303 passing yards and one interception.[88] DuringMonday Night Footballagainst theLos Angeles Rams in week 11, Mahomes finished with 478 passing yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions as the Chiefs lost 54–51.[89] The loss marked the first time in NFL history where a team put up at least 50 points and lost.[90] His 478 passing yards were the most for a single game by any quarterback for the 2018 season.[91]
Following an 89-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDemarcus Robinson in a week 17 game against theOakland Raiders, Mahomes joinedPeyton Manning as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns.[92] Additionally, he became one of seven players in NFL history with5,000 passing yards in a season.[93] He finished second in passing yards toBen Roethlisberger.[94] He became the first Chief sinceLen Dawson in 1966 to lead the league in passing touchdowns.[95] He helped lead the Chiefs to a 12–4 record and their third straight division title.[96]
On January 12, 2019, the Chiefs defeated theIndianapolis Colts 31–13 in theDivisional Round, giving the Chiefs their first home playoff win since the 1993 season.[97] Mahomes threw for 278 yards with no interceptions and rushed for one touchdown.[98] The win allowed the Chiefs to host the firstAFC Championship held atArrowhead Stadium. Mahomes passed for 295 yards and three touchdowns, but the Chiefs lost to the Patriots in overtime 37–31.[99]
Mahomes's performance for the season earned multiple awards. He was named to the2019 Pro Bowl, he was named First Team All–Pro,[100] 2019Best NFL Player ESPY Award, and was named Kansas City Club 101 Awards AFC Offensive Player of the Year.[101] He was also named theNFL MVP, the first winner for the Chiefs in franchise history.[102] He was ranked as the fourth-best player by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2019.[103]
Playing against theJacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, Mahomes threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns in the 40–26 win despite star receiverTyreek Hill's injury in the first quarter and Mahomes's second quarterankle sprain.[104] In week 2 against theOakland Raiders, Mahomes threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns in the second quarter alone, the most passing yards in any quarter since 2008. Mahomes finished the game with 443 yards[105] and was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[106] For the second consecutive season, Mahomes was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for September after leading the Chiefs to a 4–0 start (10 passing touchdowns with no interceptions).[107] Mahomes dislocated hispatella in week 7 against theDenver Broncos.[108] The following day, anMRI revealed no significant structural damage. He was initially expected to miss at least three weeks.[109] He returned two weeks later against theTennessee Titans, throwing for 446 yards and three touchdowns, losing 35–32.[110] Mahomes ran for a career-high 59 yards, but threw for a career-low (for games he finished) 182 yards in the Chiefs' week 11 victory over theLos Angeles Chargers.[111] In a week 16 win over theChicago Bears onSunday Night Football, Mahomes celebrated by counting to 10 on his fingers, alluding to the fact that he was the 10th overall pick in the 2017 draft and that the Bears could have drafted him with the second pick instead ofMitchell Trubisky.[112] He finished the season with 4,031 yards and 26 touchdowns with only five interceptions.[113] He helped lead the Chiefs to their second consecutive 12–4 record and first round bye, as well as their fourth consecutive division title.[114] He was selected to the2020 Pro Bowl, though he did not play due to his participation inSuper Bowl LIV.[115]
In theDivisional Round against theHouston Texans, the Chiefs faced a 24–0 deficit early in the second quarter. The Chiefs then went on a 51–7 run, including 41 unanswered points, to win 51–31. Mahomes threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 53 yards.[116] In their secondAFC Championship, facing the Titans, Mahomes threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a 27-yard touchdown, the second longest run of his career and longest in the playoffs. He sparked a comeback from 17–7 in the second quarter to a 35–24 victory.[117] The Chiefs made their first Super Bowl appearance sinceSuper Bowl IV in 1970.[117] InSuper Bowl LIV, the Chiefs trailed 20–10 against theSan Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter with 8:53 remaining. It was their third straight game facing a 10+ point deficit. With just over 7 minutes to play, a successful 49ers challenge of a completed catch left the Chiefs facing 3rd and 15 on their own 35-yard-line. Mahomes asked his coaching staff to call the playJet Chip Wasp, and successfully completed a deep pass toTyreek Hill for 44 yards. This shifted momentum towards the Chiefs, who in the remaining minutes of the game went on a 21–0 run, securing their first Super Bowl victory in 50 years.[118] Mahomes threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions, and rushed for another 29 yards and touchdown run and was namedSuper Bowl MVP.[119] He was the youngest quarterback and third-youngest player in NFL history to earn the award.[120][121] Mahomes also became the third African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, joiningDoug Williams andRussell Wilson.[122] He was ranked fourth by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2020.[123]
Patrick Mahomes at the Super Bowl LIV parade in February 2020
On April 30, 2020, the Chiefs picked up the fifth-year option on Mahomes's contract.[124] On July 6, he signed a ten-year extension worth $477 million with an additional $26 million in potential bonuses for a total of $503 million. The contract extended through the 2031 season.[125] At the time of the signing, it was thelargest contract in professional sports history, surpassingMike Trout's 12-year, $426.5 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels.[126] Mahomes became the first professional athlete to have a half-billion dollar contract.[127] Soccer playersLionel Messi andCristiano Ronaldo and baseball playersShohei Ohtani andJuan Soto have since surpassed the contract amount.[128][129]
In the Chiefs' week 2 win over theLos Angeles Chargers, Mahomes achieved his fourth fourth-quarter comeback. The Chiefs trailed 17–9 entering the fourth quarter before winning in overtime 23–20. The comeback was the NFL record sixth time he overcame a 10+ point deficit to win.[130] In a week 3 win over theBaltimore Ravens, he threw for 385 passing yards, passing for four touchdowns and rushing for one. In the game, he became the fastest quarterback to surpass 10,000 career yards. It took him 34 games to eclipseKurt Warner's mark.[131] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[132] In week 8, he threw for 416 yards and five touchdowns in a 35–9 victory against theNew York Jets.[133] Mahomes was again named AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[134] In a week 9 victory over theCarolina Panthers, he threw for 372 passing yards and four touchdowns.[135] In week 12 against theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 27–24 victory while throwing for 462 yards and three touchdowns.[136] Mahomes was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.[137] In 2020,Sports Illustrated named him one of their Sportspeople of the Year for his activism following themurder of George Floyd and his encouragement for people to vote in the2020 presidential election.[138] In week 14, against theMiami Dolphins, he tied a career high with three interceptions.[139] Mahomes rested for week 17 after the Chiefs locked uphome-field advantage throughout the playoffs.[140] Mahomes finished the 2020 season with 4,740 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and six interceptions.[141] He was named to the Pro Bowl for his accomplishments in the 2020 season.[142]
In theDivisional Round against theCleveland Browns, Mahomes left the game in the third quarter after being tackled by Browns linebackerMack Wilson. He was diagnosed with a concussion, and as per NFL rules he was unable to return.[143] The Chiefs would win the game 22–17 with backup quarterbackChad Henne. Later that week, Mahomes announced in a press conference that he had cleared concussion protocol, saying, "Everything has been good. I went through everything; three or four different doctors have said everything is looking good.'"[144]
In theAFC Championship in a highly anticipated matchup against theBuffalo Bills and their dual-threat quarterbackJosh Allen, Mahomes threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns,[145] while leading the Chiefs to a 38–24 victory and their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. Mahomes became the youngest quarterback to start in three straight AFC Championships.[146] The Chiefs hosted the conference championship game for the NFL-record-tying third consecutive year, the other instance was duringAndy Reid's tenure with thePhiladelphia Eagles.[147]
InSuper Bowl LV against theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Mahomes threw for 270 yards and two interceptions in the game as the Chiefs lost 31–9. It was his first double-digit loss in the NFL, and also the first time since he became the Chiefs starting quarterback that the offense did not score any touchdowns.[148] The Buccaneers defense used two deep safeties to neutralize Mahomes's wide receiver targets.[149] The Chiefs' injury-ravaged offensive line was no match for the Buccaneers' pass rush defense, as Mahomes was pressured on a Super Bowl record 29 of 56 dropbacks while also being sacked three times and hit twice.[150][151] Despite the pressure, Mahomes still managed to throw several long accurate passes that were dropped by their intended targets resulting in incompletions: one fourth-quarter highlight showed Mahomes throwing a sidearm pass, despite being tripped by Buccaneersdefensive endWilliam Gholston, that ultimately hit the facemask of receiverDarrel Williams and was dropped.[152]
Three days after the Super Bowl, Mahomes underwent surgery to repair aturf toe injury he suffered in the divisional round game against the Browns.[153] He was named as the top-ranked player in the NFL by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2021.[154]
On March 12, 2021, Mahomes restructured his contract to save the Chiefs $17 million in salary cap space.[155]
In week 1, Mahomes had three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and 337 yards in a 33–29 win over theCleveland Browns, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[156] In the Chiefs' week 2 loss to theBaltimore Ravens, he threw his first interception in the month of September of his career. The 36–35 setback marked Mahomes's first loss in the month of September in his career.[157] In a week 5 loss to theBuffalo Bills, Mahomes set career highs for rushing yards with 61 and passing attempts with 54. The 38–20 loss was only his second loss by double digits in his career and his first in the regular season.[158] Two weeks later, the Chiefs lost to theTennessee Titans 27–3. The Chiefs' three points were the fewest points a Mahomes-led team scored since he became the starter. It was his sixth consecutive game with an interception, the longest streak of his career. He had two fumbles in the second half which gave him the most turnovers he has had in a season only seven games into the season.[159] In the Chiefs' week 9 victory over theGreen Bay Packers, Mahomes threw for 166 yards, which was a career low in games he finished. By not throwing an interception for the first time since week 1, he ended a career worst streak of six consecutive games throwing an interception.[160] Mahomes bounced back the following week in a 41–14 victory over theLas Vegas Raiders, where he threw for 406 yards and five touchdowns, an NFL record-tying third game throwing for at least 400 yards and five touchdowns. He joinedPro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacksJoe Montana,Dan Marino, andPeyton Manning as quarterbacks that accomplished the feat.[161] In the Chiefs' week 15 win over theLos Angeles Chargers, he threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winning 34-yard touchdown pass in overtime toTravis Kelce.[162] It was his seventh 400-yard game of his career. He finished the regular season with 4,839 yards, 37 touchdowns, 13 interceptions (a career high), and a 98.5 quarterback rating (a career low for a full season).[163] The Chiefs finished the season 12–5, as well as securing their sixth consecutive AFC West title.[164] He earned a Pro Bowl nomination for the 2021 season.[165]
The Chiefs hosted thePittsburgh Steelers in theWild Card Round, the first time he participated at that stage of the playoffs. Mahomes threw for 404 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception in the 42–21 win.[166] His 404 passing yards set a franchise record for passing yards in a playoff game.[167] In theDivisional Round against the Bills, Mahomes recorded 378 passing yards and three passing touchdowns to go along with 69 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown during the42–36 overtime win.[168] In the final seconds of regulation, Andy Reid gave Mahomes a motivational talk and told him to be "The Grim Reaper".[169] After thetwo-minute warning and in overtime alone, he threw for 177 yards.[170][171] The game was immediately regarded as one of the greatest playoff games of all time.[172][173][174] In theAFC Championship Game against theCincinnati Bengals, Mahomes threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, including one in overtime in the 27–24 loss.[175] He was ranked eighth by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2022.[176]
Mahomes taking photos during military appreciation day at training camp in 2022
In Week 1 against theArizona Cardinals, Mahomes threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns in the Chiefs' 44–21 victory, his sixth 5+ touchdown game. He also had a quarterback rating of 144.2, the third highest of his career and his best since 2020.[177] He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Week 1 performance.[178] In Week 4, Mahomes threw for 249 yards and three touchdowns in a 41–31 win over theTampa Bay Buccaneers, earning his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors of the season.[179] In Week 7 against theSan Francisco 49ers, Mahomes threw for 423 yards and three touchdowns in the 44–23 victory, his seventh career 400-yard game.[180] In Week 8 against theTennessee Titans, Mahomes set single-game franchise records for pass completions (43)[181] and pass attempts (68) in a single game.[182] In that game, which was only his 71st career start, he broke the NFL record for passing yards in a quarterback's first 75 career starts with 21,596.[183] The following week, his 72nd start, he would break the record for passing touchdowns in a quarterback's first 75 starts with 176.[184] Mahomes was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.[185] In the Chiefs' week 15 game against theHouston Texans, Mahomes ran for his 12th career rushing touchdown, setting a franchise record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.[186] He was named to his fifth Pro Bowl for the season.[187] Mahomes reached 5,000 passing yards on the season in a Week 17 win against theDenver Broncos for the second time in his career.[188] He set the NFL record for most total yards in a season by a quarterback (combined passing and rushing) with 5,608.[189] He also broke his own Chiefs' franchise record for passing yards in a season with 5,250.[190]
With the number 1 seed in the AFC, the Chiefs earned a bye week in the first round of the playoffs.[191] In the Chiefs'Divisional Round victory over theJacksonville Jaguars, a high ankle sprain sidelined Mahomes for much of the first half, but he returned to the game in the second half helping lead the Chiefs to victory.[192] In theAFC Championship game, the Chiefs defeated theCincinnati Bengals, ending a three-game losing streak (including playoffs) to the team, to advance to their third Super Bowl in four seasons.[193] Against thePhiladelphia Eagles inSuper Bowl LVII, Mahomes re-aggravated his ankle late in the second quarter as the Chiefs went into halftime trailing by 10. However, Mahomes stayed in the game and led Kansas City to a touchdown on their first three drives of the second half, leading the Chiefs to a 38–35 win over the Eagles.[194] He was awarded his second career Super Bowl MVP for his efforts. Mahomes also finished the season as theMost Valuable Player, and was the league leader in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, becoming the first player in NFL history to achieve all four feats in a season.[195] He also joined Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks to win multiple regular season and Super Bowl MVPs.[196] Mahomes was ranked as the top player in the NFL by his peers on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2023.[197]
On September 18, 2023, the Chiefs and Mahomes agreed to restructure his contract, giving him $210.6 million between 2023 and 2026, the most money in NFL history over a four-season span.[198] In Week 4 against the Jets, Mahomes passed for his 200th career touchdown, becoming the fastest player in NFL history to reach that milestone, having done so in just his 84th start. His 51 rushing yards in the game also allowed him to breakAlex Smith's franchise record for most career rushing yards by a quarterback.[199] After defeating theMinnesota Vikings in Week 5, Mahomes became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to defeat all other 31 teams besides their own.[200] In Week 12, Mahomes was 27-of-34 for 298 yards and two touchdowns to overcome a 14-point deficit in a 31–17 win over theLas Vegas Raiders, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week.[201]
Despite meeting these milestones, Mahomes had his worst statistical season to that point in several categories, including yards per attempt (7.0), passing yards per game (261.4), interceptions (14), and passer rating (92.6).[202][203] His receivers struggled at several points throughout the season;[204] going into Week 18, they led the league in dropped passes. Despite this, Mahomes set a career-high in completion percentage with 67.2%.[205] Mahomes was notably fined $50,000 for publicly criticizing the referees of the Chiefs' game against theBuffalo Bills, in which they lost 20–17 after a go-ahead touchdown by receiverKadarius Toney was negated due to Toney lining upoffsides.[206] Mahomes ranted as he greetedJosh Allen after the game.[207] In spite of these struggles, the Chiefs once again won the division, resulting in Mahomes and several other startersresting in the final game of the season.[208] Mahomes earned his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.[209]
The Chiefs' playoff run began with a commanding 26–7 win over theMiami Dolphins at home in subzero temperatures in thewild card round.[210] The next week, Mahomes played his first career road playoff game, scoring a narrow 27–24 win over the Buffalo Bills in thedivisional round.[211] This win gave the Chiefs their sixth consecutive AFC Championship Game, the second-most consecutive conference championship games for a franchise of all time (the most is held by theNew England Patriots with 8).[212] Against the Bills, Mahomes, along with tight endTravis Kelce, broke the record for most career touchdowns (16) in the playoffs for a quarterback/receiver duo.[213] Mahomes then led the Chiefs to a win on the road against the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens in theAFC Championship to advance toSuper Bowl LVIII, marking Mahomes's fourth Super Bowl appearance in five seasons.[214] The win marked Mahomes's 14th career playoff win, tyingTerry Bradshaw,John Elway, andPeyton Manning for third place inquarterback playoff wins.[215] In the Super Bowl, Mahomes won his third Super Bowl MVP after throwing for 333 yards with two touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime toMecole Hardman, as the Chiefs defeated theSan Francisco 49ers 25–22 in just the second Super Bowl in history to go to overtime.[216] Kansas City became the first team to repeat as Super Bowl champions since theNew England Patriots nineteen years earlier and Mahomes became the third player with three Super Bowl MVPs.[217] With his victory in the Super Bowl, Mahomes earned his 15th postseason victory, moving into sole possession of third-most in NFL history, only behindJoe Montana andTom Brady.[218] He was ranked fourth by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2024.[219]
Mahomes (15) throwing a pass toTravis Kelce during a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024
Mahomes and the Chiefs entered the 2024 season looking to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships.[220] In theNFL Kickoff Game against the Ravens, Mahomes passedLen Dawson as the Chiefs' all-time passing yards leader in a 27–20 win.[221] In Week 3, Mahomes won his 77th regular season start in a victory against theAtlanta Falcons. With the win, Mahomes passed Tom Brady andRoger Staubach for most victories by a quarterback through their first 100 starts.[222] In Week 8 against theLas Vegas Raiders, Mahomes reached 30,000 career passing yards, doing so in just 103 regular season games. This was faster than any other quarterback in NFL history, surpassing the previous record of 109 games set byMatthew Stafford.[223] Mahomes helped lead the Chiefs to a 9–0 start, tying the best start to a season in franchise history.[224] In Week 11, the team suffered their first setback with a 30–21 loss to the Buffalo Bills.[225] In Week 14, Mahomes helped lead the Chiefs to a ninth consecutive AFC West title with a 19–17 win over the Chargers.[226] With a 29–10 win over the Steelers in Week 17, Mahomes and the Chiefs clinched the top overall seed in the AFC for the postseason.[227] The win marked the 15th regular season victory for the Chiefs, setting a new franchise single-season record.[228] With playoff seeding locked up, Mahomes and other Chiefs starters rested in Week 18. In the 2024 season, Mahomes finished with 3,928 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to go with 58 carries for 307 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.[229] It was his first season as a starter without 4,000 passing yards or a Pro Bowl selection.[230]
In theDivisional Round, Mahomes helped lead the Chiefs to a 23–14 victory over the Houston Texans.[231] In theAFC Championship against the Bills, Mahomes scored two rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown, leading the Chiefs to a 32–29 win and becoming the first back-to-back defending champions to return to theSuper Bowl.[232][233] The victory also moved Mahomes to second all-time in playoff wins among quarterbacks, behind Tom Brady.[234] In a rematch ofSuper Bowl LVII against the Eagles, Mahomes struggled mightily, throwing for 33 yards, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and a passer rating of 10.7 in the first half. The Chiefs trailed 34–0 and did not cross midfield until late in the third quarter.[235][236] Mahomes put up most of his positive statistics after the game was out of reach, finishing with 257 yards, three touchdowns, three turnovers, and a career-high six sacks as the Chiefs lost 40–22.[237][238]
Mahomes threw his 250th career touchdown in a 37–20 Week 4 win vs. the Baltimore Ravens. Doing it in his 116th game, he became the fastest to that milestone, beatingAaron Rodgers, who needed 121 games.[239] In Week 6, Mahomes completed 22 of 30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, along with 32 rushing yards and a touchdown, in a 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions, earning his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors of the season.[240]
A former baseball pitcher and considered by some adual-threat quarterback and the "most talented player in the NFL" due to his elusiveness in thepocket, arm strength, running ability, and athleticism despite being a pass-first quarterback,[268][269] Mahomes is also known for attempting and completing innovative throws, including no-look passes and behind-the-back tosses.[270]FiveThirtyEight also cites his unique and "uncanny" ability to know his receivers' timing and use his athleticism to fool defenders and get his receivers open.[268] Mahomes credits his years playing baseball with developing his arm strength while throwing the football.[271] Ahead ofSuper Bowl LVII, which was the first Super Bowl to feature twoblack starting quarterbacks as the Chiefs faced off againstJalen Hurts and thePhiladelphia Eagles, Mahomes acknowledged that his creative playing style was inspired by that ofNegro league baseball players, especiallySatchel Paige, who likewise inspired his father's baseball playing style.[270]
A number of defensive coordinators have cited Mahomes's ability to improvise as one of his key skills.[272] Since Mahomes's breakout 2018 season, NFL general managers and scouts have sought out prospects that can break out of designed plays. Number one overall draft picksKyler Murray andBryce Young are regarded as examples of this effect, with the two being highly touted prospects despite lacking traditional size for the position.[273]
Personal life
Mahomes with his future wifeBrittany at the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade atMagic Kingdom in 2020
Mahomes is anevangelical Christian.[282] His mother said he found his faith when he was in middle school, where he was involved with a youth group at his church.[283] Mahomes has said, "Faith is huge for me ... Before every game, I walk the field and I do a prayer at the goalpost. I just thank God for those opportunities and I thank God for letting me be on a stage where I can glorify Him. The biggest thing that I pray for is that whatever happens, win or lose, success or failure, that I'm glorifying Him."[284]
Mahomes is featured in theNFL Films andNetflix sports documentary seriesQuarterback, alongside other NFL quarterbacksKirk Cousins andMarcus Mariota. All three players were filmed during the 2022 season on-and-off the field. The series premiered on Netflix on July 12, 2023. Mahomes's newly established 2PM Productions collaborated on producing the series.[285][286]
Following his 2018 MVP season, Mahomes received multiple endorsement deals. His first contract came fromHunt's (which has never had business ties to thefamily that owns theChiefs) upon revealing his love for ketchup.[291] In addition, he has signed endorsement deals withOakley,[292] Essentia Water,Hy-Vee,[293]State Farm,[294]DirecTV,[295]Adidas,[296] andHead & Shoulders.[297] He also signed an endorsement contract withHelzberg Diamonds who released a line of necklaces featuring his logo.[298] He was named the cover athlete forMadden NFL 20, becoming the first Chiefs player to be on the cover.[299] He would be named the Madden cover athlete again, along withTom Brady, two years later forMadden NFL 22. Mahomes and Brady are the first players to be named cover athlete twice.[300] In 2020, he signed an endorsement deal with sports drink maker BioSteel sports drinks.[301] He also became an equity partner in the company.[302] On August 16, 2021, he announced he would be releasing his own signature shoe as part of his endorsement deal with Adidas. The shoe was called the Mahomes 1 Impact FLX and was released on August 23.[303]
In 2022, Mahomes appeared in a commercial forCoors Light. NFL rules prohibit players from endorsing alcohol products, so the product in the commercial was a Coors flashlight instead of beer.[304] In 2023, he appeared in commercials for cellphone providerT-Mobile.[305] Also in 2023, he signed an endorsement deal with the beverage manufacturerPrime.[306]
Philanthropy and activism
In April 2019, Mahomes announced the establishment of a nonprofit organization called the15 and the Mahomies Foundation.[307] The nonprofit's website states that it is "dedicated to improving the lives of children".[308]
Mahomes and Mathieu started a voter registration project in Kansas City. The project encouraged residents to register to vote in the2020 presidential election. He worked with the Chiefs to encourage players to vote. He joinedLeBron James'Rock the Vote initiative to encourage people to register and vote.[310]
Mahomes was named to theTime 100 list of most influential people of 2020,[311] 2023,[312] and 2024.[313]
In 2024, Mahomes donated $5 million to his alma mater, Texas Tech, to assist with stadium and football center projects.[314]
In 2021, Mahomes became an investor in a group to expand theWhataburger fast food restaurant franchise toMissouri andKansas. The locations will primarily be in theKansas City andWichita metropolitan areas, with multiple other locations in between.[320] As of June 2024, there are 14 Whataburger locations in the Kansas City area, with Mahomes's investment group, called KMO Burgers, operating 11 of them.[321]
In 2024, Mahomes, along with the rest of the ownership group of the Current, expressed interest in bringing aWNBA expansion franchise to Kansas City. They cited the success of the Current, the WNBA expanding to add teams inSan Francisco,Portland, andToronto by 2026, and the WNBA hoping to have 16 teams by 2028. The bid is likely to have competition from other cities likeSt. Louis andPhiladelphia.[322][323]
^Schmidt, Heidi (June 3, 2024)."Kansas City's latest Mahomes-backed Whataburger location opens near Arrowhead".KCTV. RetrievedJanuary 26, 2025.If KMO Burger sounds familiar, it is an investment group that includes Mahomes as a partner. KMO Burger operates 11 of the 14 Whataburger locations in the Kansas City area, and opened all 11 locations in the past two years.
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Patrick Mahomes's NFL Combine workout
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