by Patrick Mahomes’ Rapid Rise to NFL Stardom
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When Patrick Mahomes was drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft, few could have predicted just how quickly he would emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. In just a few short years, Mahomes has established himself as a perennial MVP candidate and Super Bowl champion. His trophy case is already filling up with some of the top individual awards in both college and the NFL, reflecting his evolution from a promising prospect to undisputed star.
College Career at Texas Tech
Mahomes began making a name for himself early in his college career at Texas Tech. As a freshman in 2014, he saw limited playing time but still managed to impress, completing 56% of his passes for 820 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 8 games. His solid debut performance earned him recognition as a Freshman All-American by College Football News.
In 2015, Mahomes took over as the full-time starter and his production skyrocketed. He threw for 4,653 yards (leading the nation), 36 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions while completing 63.5% of his passes. His breakout season led to him being named First-team All-Big 12 by both the conference’s coaches and media. Mahomes’ versatility was also recognized when he received the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in college football.
Mahomes raised his game to an even higher level as a junior in 2016. He shattered numerous school records by passing for 5,052 yards and 53 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. His incredible passing stats that season earned Mahomes several major national awards. He was once again named First-team All-Big 12 and also took home the Sammy Baugh Award as the nation’s top passer as well as the Manning Award for being the top quarterback in college football.
These individual honors from his college career showed that Mahomes had all the tools to be a star quarterback from an early age. He displayed exceptional throwing ability and playmaking skills while also proving his versatility with his running talent. Mahomes left Texas Tech as one of the greatest and most decorated passers in school history.
Breakout Rookie Season
Despite his prolific college production, questions remained about whether Mahomes’ unorthodox style would translate to the NFL. He spent his rookie season of 2017 on the bench, learning behind veteran Alex Smith. But when Smith went down with an injury late in the 2018 season, Mahomes was thrust into the starting role.
He made the most of his opportunity, throwing for 1,283 yards, 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in his first three starts. Mahomes dazzled with no-look passes and left defenders bewildered with his combination of arm strength, accuracy and improvisational skills. He helped lead the Chiefs on a season-ending run to the AFC Championship game while showing he had the talent to be a franchise quarterback.
MVP Caliber Sophomore Season
In 2018, Mahomes took full control of the Chiefs offense in his first full season as the starter. He was nothing short of spectacular, completing 66% of his passes for 5,097 yards and a whopping 50 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Mahomes’ eye-popping stats and electric playmaking helped Kansas City finish with the best record in the AFC at 12-4.
For his transcendent performance, Mahomes was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player, becoming just the second player in Chiefs history to win the award. He also received First-team All-Pro honors and led the league in passer rating at 113.8. At just 23 years old, Mahomes had cemented himself as the new face of the NFL with his MVP campaign. He had progressed from a promising prospect to the best player in football in just one season as a full-time starter.
Super Bowl Champion
In the playoffs, Mahomes continued his brilliant play. He threw for over 300 yards in playoff wins over the Colts and Patriots to send the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIV. On the biggest stage of all, Mahomes completed 26 of 42 passes for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns as Kansas City defeated the San Francisco 49ers 31-20.
His clutch performance and poise down the stretch earned Mahomes Super Bowl MVP honors, making him the youngest player ever to win both NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP. At 24, Mahomes had already reached the pinnacle of team success by leading the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years. His rapid rise from benchwarmer to Super Bowl champion in just two seasons as a starter had been nothing short of remarkable.
Sustained Excellence
Mahomes hasn’t slowed down since his breakout MVP season. In 2020, he completed 66.3% of his passes for 4,740 yards and 38 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions while leading the NFL in passing yards. His elite production and leadership helped Kansas City repeat as AFC Champions with an impressive 14-2 record. For the second time in three seasons, Mahomes earned First-team All-Pro honors.
At just 26 years old, Mahomes is well on his way to a potential Hall of Fame career if he can sustain his level of excellence and team success over the next decade. He is already regarded by many analysts as the best quarterback in the NFL and is in the conversation as one of the all-time greats. Off the field, Mahomes’ humble and team-first attitude has made him one of the most popular athletes worldwide.
Looking Ahead
Considering he has already achieved so much in such a short time, it’s scary to think of Mahomes’ potential if he stays healthy and continues developing his game. He seems primed to add more individual accolades like MVPs, Super Bowl rings and career passing records to his trophy case. Mahomes is also under contract with Kansas City through 2031, giving him plenty of time to cement his legacy as perhaps the greatest Chief of all time.
Barring any major injuries, Mahomes appears destined to join the pantheon of all-time greats like Brady, Montana and Manning when his career is over. In just five NFL seasons, he has established himself as the face of the league and one of its most decorated champions. Mahomes’ rapid rise from a promising rookie to NFL superstar has been nothing short of incredible. He is still reaching his prime and shows no signs of slowing down, ensuring there will be many more awards and championships in his future.
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