Patrick Mahomes isn’t wasting time. Any of it.
On Tuesday morning at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Mahomes put his entire repertoire on display for the fans. And much of it had nothing to do with his right arm.
During red zone drills, Mahomes completed a short out route to Richie James. Afterward, Mahomes began frantically signaling for the offense to get in place so he could clock the ball. In the ensuing seconds, second-year receiver Skyy Moore left the huddle to be replaced by rookie wideout Rashee Rice.
It appeared Rice was a touch late realizing he was supposed to be in, causing Mahomes to gesture somewhat annoyedly. The next play, Mahomes found Rice on a skinny post for a touchdown, ran over to him and excitedly tapped his helmet.
In a matter of less than one minute, what makes Mahomes uniquely great was on full display.
Awareness, urgency, leadership … and a cannon off his right shoulder.
Going into his seventh year—sixth as a starter—Mahomes could be forgiven if training camp was more about the motions than anything else. He’s a two-time MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Super Bowl MVP. The only other players across league history who can claim those accolades are Joe Montana and Tom Brady. And Mahomes is only 27 years old.
Last year, many believed Mahomes would see a downtick in numbers after the Chiefs sent All-Pro receiver Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks. Instead, Mahomes worked in four new receivers, including Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney and Moore, while managing to reach a career-high 5,250 passing yards.
In the postseason, Mahomes played almost all three of Kansas City’s games on a high ankle sprain, totaling 703 passing yards and seven touchdowns with zero interceptions. He completed 72% of his attempts with a 114.7 passer rating.
Despite it all, nobody was more locked in throughout the sunny morning at St. Joseph. Mahomes was his typical self, throwing only one incompletion during red zone drills, a part of practice typically tough on the offense.
Toward the end of practice, the Chiefs ran a drill in which the offense is backed up inside its 5-yard line and is challenged to move the ball. The first team moved with ease before giving way to the backups. Most of the team went to the sideline. Mahomes stood hands on knees from the end line, watching as though he was coaching.
The takeaway is simple: Mahomes is invested. It’s his show. It’s his legacy on the line.
Even in a training camp practice nobody will remember, there’s no time to waste.
