Patrick Mahomes is a legendary quarterback in the making. Ever since the Chiefs decided to trade Alex Smith in the beginning of 2018 and made Mahomes their number one quarterback, they have been on an incredible run. Though being one game away from the Super Bowl in the 2018 playoffs, the Chiefs came back the following year to win their first Super Bowl since 1969.
Mahomes has the capability to create a huge dynasty in Kansas City, especially after signing a huge 10-year $503 million contract extension. Since his start with the Chiefs, Mahomes has 76 touchdown passes, 9,412 passing yards and 724 completions. He is a two-time pro bowler, Super Bowl MVP winner, NFL MVP winner, NFL passing touchdown leader and offensive player of the year winner all in his first two seasons with the Chiefs.
What makes Mahomes so great is his leadership skills both on and off the field. After the Chiefs lost in the AFC Championship game against the Patriots in 2019, Brady went up to Mahomes and told him “Continue to treat every single day of preparation, like it’s the most important”. Mahomes took that and fueled him heading into the following season. Mahomes has grown both physically and mentally as a player since that lost, MSN reported. The most important quality that he gained was his ability to lead a team to success.
Mahomes first demonstrated his leadership skills during the 2018 season after the situation with former running back Kareem Hunt. On Feb. 2018 news broke out that Kareem Hunt allegedly abused a woman in Cleveland outside his apartment. NBC Sports reported that Hunt denied the accusation and the Chiefs did not punish him. However, a video from TMZ surfaced months after the event allegedly happening of Hunt clearly abusing a woman outside his apartment. The Chiefs took immediate action and released Hunt the same day the video was posted.
After Hunt’s release, Mahomes asked Reid if he can speak to the team alone. According to NBC Sports, Mahomes told the team that “He loved Kareem Hunt, as did everyone in the room, and Hunt would continue to be a friend.” He also said that “Everyone in this room will stick together and they’d get through this, and we’ve come too far to let one thing derail this season, and we won’t let it.”
That set the tone for the rest of the Chiefs season, as they did not let the Hunt situation be a distraction. The Chiefs ended that season with a 12-4 record and made it one game away from the Super Bowl.
Mahomes has taken full control of this team and has brought success to the Chiefs in the past two seasons.
Mahomes hypes his team up throughout the whole playoffs, even when the Chiefs were losing. During the Super Bowl game last year against the San Francisco 49ers, Mahomes is seen motivating his team, saying “It’s gonna be special” and “They’re gonna talk about this forever, baby. They gonna talk about this forever. It’s gonna be special. They’re gonna talk about it forever. We keep rolling” according to Sports Illustrated.
Going for it on 4th down increases your chances for a victory parade. #WednesdayWisdom | @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/HCvV7vffSE
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) February 5, 2020
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and head coach Andy Reid have recognized Mahomes’ leadership and praised his hard work both on and off the field. “He’s an extraordinary leader and a credit to the Kansas City community” said Clark according to ESPN after Mahomes’ record contract extension. “I’m delighted that he will be a member of the Chiefs for many years to come.”
Reid mentions that Mahomes is a “natural leader and always grinding, whether that’s on the field, in the weight room or watching film. He wants to be the best” said Reid according to ESPN. “He’s a competitor, and his teammates feed of his energy. He makes us all better as an organization, and we are blessed he’s going to be our quarterback for years to come.”
Mahomes, along with Tyreek Hill, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and Sammy Watkins, can create something special in Kansas City. Mahomes can lead a team to years of success. Look for Mahomes to continue to grow as both a leader and a player as seasons go by and look out for the Chiefs to be a lethal team for years to come.