The 25-year-old quarterback has already earned an MVP trophy and Super Bowl title. According to Pro Football Reference, he ended his fourth NFL season atop the all-time leaderboard in passing yards per game (307.7), quarterback rating (108.7), and net yards per pass attempt (7.8).
When it’s all said and done, Mahomes could hold a claim as the GOAT. For now, he has his sights set on capturing a second straight Lombardi Trophy for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The burgeoning face of the league continues to raise the bar both on and off the field. His book is far from finished, but the early chapters tell a compelling tale of excellence.
Patrick Mahomes has quickly blossomed into an NFL superstar.Associated Press
Rise to Greatness
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Mahomes tossed 77 combined passing touchdowns in his sophomore and junior years at Texas Tech.Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press
Born in Tyler, Texas, Mahomes played football, baseball and basketball at Whitehouse High School. In addition to accounting for 65 touchdowns (50 passing, 15 rushing) his senior year, the son of former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes also excelled on the mound. Facing off against future MLB pitcher Michael Kopech, he tallied 16 strikeouts in a no-hitter.
Though Mahomes had committed to play football at Texas Tech, the Detroit Tigers selected him in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB draft.
In college he played both sports before focusing on the gridiron as a junior. That year, he amassed 5,052 passing yards and 41 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid offense.
Mahomes was far from a lock to be an early pick, but he decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. A perfect landing spot enabled a seamless transition.
A Rare Rookie Understudy
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Mahomes spent his rookie season backing up Alex Smith, who took Kansas City back to the playoffs.John Froschauer/Associated Press
In 2016, Kansas City claimed its first AFC West title since 2010 and best regular-season record (12-4) since 2003. Alex Smith had steered the franchise to four consecutive winning seasons and three playoff appearances.
Quarterback was far from a need, but the Chiefs wisely pounced on the opportunity to secure a cornerstone. They traded up 17 spots with the Buffalo Bills to snag Mahomes at No. 10, making him the second quarterback selected after Mitchell Trubisky.
As illuminated by the Kansas City Star’s Pete Grathoff, the aggressive gambit wasn’t entirely well received. Some observers thought the Chiefs gave up too much or should have selected another future star passer, Deshaun Watson.
A few skeptics, however, offered the disclaimer that Mahomes brandished the upside to make them eat their words in a few years.
When given a chance, he did just that.
In an age when first-round quarterbacks are expected to start as rookies—sometimes as soon as Week 1—Mahomes watched Smith guide Kansas City back to the playoffs. After essentially redshirting in his first year, he wasted little time rewarding the organization’s foresight and patience.
Seismic Second-Year Breakout
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Mahomes threw 50 touchdown passes in his first year as an NFL starter.Associated Press
From the second Mahomes took the field, it became obvious the Chiefs had found a franchise-changing superstar.
In his first full season as a starter, Mahomes joined Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in a highly exclusive club by tossing 50 passing touchdowns. At just 23 years of age, he matched Dan Marino as the youngest to ever eclipse 5,000 passing yards in a season.
The season’s overwhelming MVP took his squad to the AFC Championship Game, but K.C. lost in overtime to Brady’s New England Patriots.
Following his unprecedented NFL introduction, Mahomes said it was “just the beginning.” He’s certainly lived up to that declaration.
Face of the NFL
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Mahomes has a growing list of endorsements.Photo credit: Oakley
Mahomes’ star is shining so brightly that he added sunglasses to his growing list of sponsorship deals. In 2019, Mahomes became the first football player to sign an endorsement deal with Oakley, an official on-field partner of the league.
Oakley is now launching a signature series in Mahomes’ honor with a red design tying in to his Texas Tech and Kansas City squads, as well as “II” etched on the lens for his full name, Patrick Mahomes II.
Of course, that’s not the only company doing business with the MVP. He recently added BioSteel to a stable that includes Adidas, State Farm, Head & Shoulders and others. He is also a part owner of the Kansas City Royals.
Mahomes will likely remain an NFL ambassador for years to come. No player’s officially licensed merchandise sold better than Mahomes’ in 2019. Per NFL Shop, he had the highest-selling jersey of 2020 as well.
Superstar On and Off the Field
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Mahomes has raised money and awareness for various causes off the field.Matt Sayles/Associated Press
For all his work off the field, Sports Illustrated recently named Mahomes one of its recipients for 2020 Sportsperson of the Year.
In his essay endorsing the selection, Doug Williams—the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl and the MVP of that game, Super Bowl XXII—praised Mahomes for appearing with other players in a video that called on the league to “condemn racism and the systematic oppression of Black people.”
“He wants to comfort those who need it,” Williams wrote, “to lend a voice to the voiceless, to make the country better. … He speaks his mind because he can, and because he knows the value of his words and actions. He is lucky he has the opportunities he has. We are all lucky he takes advantage of them.”
Established in April 2019, the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation has already delivered more than $1 million in grants and support for charities focused on improving the lives of children. Its 15 for 15 initiative recently directed $250,000 in grants to 15 local organizations.
A Champion Chasing More
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Mahomes already has one Super Bowl triumph, and the Chiefs will kick off their title defense Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.Photo credit: Oakley
How do you follow a 50-touchdown debut? Mahomes won the Super Bowl.
Though he didn’t replicate his Madden-like numbers from the previous season, Mahomes accumulated 901 passing yards and 10 touchdowns with just two interceptions in three come-from-behind playoff wins. With the Chiefs down 20-10 to the San Francisco 49ers, he led them to 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points and the team’s first championship in 50 years. He was named Super Bowl LIV MVP.
During the offseason, the organization awarded him a record-setting contract extension for $450 million over 10 years. Don’t be surprised if he brings more than one more title to Arrowhead Stadium before the deal expires.
Mahomes showed no signs of complacency after getting paid, posting 4,730 passing yards with 38 touchdowns to just six interceptions. With a first-round playoff bye, Kansas City could become the first back-to-back champion since 2003 and 2004 New England.
Staying on top is never easy, but everyone should know by now never to doubt Mahomes.
This story was produced in partnership with Oakley.