Not only the Kansas City Chiefs, but the NFL as a whole didn’t imagine that 2017 would see the emergence of a quarterback capable of surpassing Tom Brady.
Patrick Mahomes is the current best QB in the NFL and for some he’s even better than the former New England Patriots.
The franchise already knew that Mahomes would be Alex Smith’s replacement, but not in such a short period of time and with such unanimity.
So much so that the signal-caller was selected with the tenth overall pick.
He was the second of his position to be drafted, behind Mitchell Trubisky, who didn’t establish himself as a top-level QB.
Patrick Mahomes’ criticised skills
Long before he was chosen by KC, still in the phase of the mock drafts made by the media and analysts, there was a supposed problem involving Pat Mahomes’ skill set: his footwork and time with the ball in the pocket.
These two things were labelled as the quarterback’s weaknesses.
In his first two years as a starter, Mahomes proved that these two “weaknesses” didn’t exist and shut a lot of people up.
He proved to be extremely capable of making excellent reads in the pocket and throwing the ball at the right time, as well as being scrambly and very mobile, although not as fast.
After three Super Bowls (and counting), the reigning champion spoke about his scramble that has become a great success in his approach to the game.
“I think I’ve gotten better, (using) the right form, and faster, as I’ve been in the NFL,” he said. “But it doesn’t look the prettiest, so I think people think I’m slow. I think it’s kinda deceptive. Sometimes I think the defense takes bad angles because they think they’re gonna catch me faster than they do. So maybe that’s the secret to my speed is that I run not the way everybody else runs.”
But apparently Mahomes’ “running game” was a concern in his early years in the league.
Randi Mahomes’ version
There’s nothing like a mum’s opinion. Certainly because she’s one of the people who knows her child best.
Randi Mahomes, the QB’s mother, in an appearance on The Mom Game podcast, confessed that she had negative doubts about the way Andy Reid ran Pat’s plays.
Especially the running part, which she didn’t think was her son’s strength.
“Even the first couple years with the Chiefs, I would say I don’t think you’re supposed to do that, like scramble around, running around,” said Randi, “and he was like coach Reid [said] it works, do it. I’m like, okay, but I don’t think you’re supposed to do it, but okay.”
Randi’s concern actually made sense, because American football has never been Mahomes’ number one priority. At least up to a point.
In fact, in his sophomore year, Pat even threatened to give up the sport of the oval ball because the position of quarterback hadn’t chosen him, in a way. It was as if he had to force himself to embrace the role.
Luckily, his mum didn’t let him abandon it.
“I said if you quit, you’re going to be bored in the stands.”
Randi Mahomes, if it wasn’t for your push, perhaps today we wouldn’t be witnessing the greatness of one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.