NFL
It’s Patrick Mahomes’ world and we’re all just living in it
Mahomes enters his eighth year in the NFL on Thursday; the quarterback has made the Kansas City Chiefs the team to beat year after year.
A few years ago, the conversation was all about Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, a team that claimed five Super Bowl rings. Now, the spotlight has shifted to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who begin their quest for a historic three-peat this Thursday.
Mahomes enters his eighth season in the league, and since his arrival, Kansas City has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once a franchise with just one Super Bowl title, the Chiefs have now won three championships under their 28-year-old quarterback.
The impact of Mahomes on the Chiefs is undeniable. Today, they are the team to beat as the season kicks off tonight at Arrowhead Stadium, where they will face the Ravens (Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET / 5:20 p.m.), a team they defeated in the AFC Championship.
Mahomes’ story to the top
Mahomes’ first year in the NFL was a period of learning. Head coach Andy Reid opted to stick with Alex Smith as the starting quarterback, but Mahomes got his first taste of action in the final regular-season game, a 27-24 victory over the Denver Broncos at Mile High. Despite the win, the Chiefs missed the Wild Card round.
In 2018, with Smith traded to the Washington Commanders, Mahomes took the reins, and the real story began. In his first year as a starter, he led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship, where they fell 37-31 in overtime to Tom Brady and the eventual champion Patriots. Mahomes racked up 5,977 passing yards and 50 touchdowns, a career-high.
In 2019, Mahomes secured his first Super Bowl ring. The Chiefs claimed the AFC Championship with a 35-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans and then topped it off with a 31-20 win over the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Mahomes finished the season with 4,313 passing yards and 26 touchdown passes.
In his fourth year, Mahomes once again led Kansas City to the AFC Championship, defeating Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills 38-24. However, Tom Brady again denied Mahomes another ring, as the Chiefs were beaten 31-9 in the Super Bowl.
In 2021, the Chiefs lost a hard-fought AFC Championship Game 27-24 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes threw for 275 yards with three touchdown passes but also had two interceptions.
In the last two seasons, Mahomes has solidified his dominance. He has mirrored the success of the New England Patriots, guiding the Chiefs to two more Super Bowl victories—beating the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in 2023.