Patrick Mahomes has quickly established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. In just four seasons as a starter, he has an MVP award, a Super Bowl title, and numerous individual records and accomplishments under his belt. However, there still seems to be some misunderstandings about Mahomes and what truly makes him elite. Here are 5 things people often get wrong about the superstar Chiefs quarterback.

He’s All Arm and No Brain

One common critique of Mahomes is that he relies solely on his strong arm and athleticism, lacking the mental processing and field vision of an elite quarterback. While Mahomes does have an absolute cannon for an arm that allows him to make throws few others can, his success is built on much more than just physical tools.

Mahomes is a masterful processor of defenses. He is constantly diagnosing pre-snap looks and making adjustments to get his team into the best possible play. His ability to read coverages and anticipate windows before the snap is elite. Mahomes understands defensive schemes and where to go with the ball based on leverage and rotations.

After the snap, Mahomes wastes no time dissecting the defense. He gets through his progressions with lightning speed while keeping his eyes downfield. Mahomes understands zone coverages and how to manipulate safeties with his eyes. He feels pressure exceptionally well and knows when to escape the pocket to extend plays. All of this mental processing allows Mahomes to deliver accurate, on-time throws all over the field.

While arm talent is a huge part of Mahomes’ game, it’s his mental acuity that truly separates him. He diagnoses defenses as well as any quarterback in the league and makes split-second decisions that leave defenders confused. The idea that Mahomes succeeds solely due to his physical gifts ignores just how brilliant he is between the ears.

He’s Only Good Because of His Weapons

Another common knock on Mahomes is that he puts up gaudy stats only because he has elite playmakers like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to throw to. While Kansas City does have talented pass catchers, Mahomes is the driving force that elevates their play to new heights.

Look no further than Mahomes’ 2018 MVP season. That year, Hill missed four games and Kelce missed one, yet Mahomes still threw for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He found ways to get production out of lesser targets like Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins. Mahomes’ accuracy, anticipation, and ball placement allow him to fit throws into tight windows that other quarterbacks can’t.

Even this past season, Mahomes led the league in TD passes despite Hill missing time with injuries. Role players like Mecole Hardman and Byron Pringle stepped up with Mahomes getting them the ball. His ability to spread it around and make average receivers look great is a testament to how he takes an offense to the next level, not the other way around.

Take away Mahomes’ weapons and he’ll still produce, as evidenced by his dominance without Hill in 2018. His greatness lies in elevating those around him, not relying on a few stars to bail him out. Mahomes makes the Kansas City offense click regardless of who is on the field catching passes.

He Can’t Win Without Andy Reid

Some believe Mahomes has found success only because he landed in the perfect situation with Andy Reid as his coach. While Reid’s innovative system is a great fit, Mahomes has shown he can carry the Chiefs to victory almost singlehandedly with his otherworldly talent and will to win.

In his first playoff start against the Colts in 2018, Mahomes led the Chiefs back from a double-digit deficit in the second half. He threw for nearly 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, showcasing his poise under pressure in just his first postseason appearance. The next week against the Patriots, Mahomes engineered yet another comeback for the ages, going toe-to-toe with Tom Brady in a classic shootout.

The following season, Mahomes put the Chiefs on his back throughout the playoffs. In the AFC Championship against the Titans, he accounted for nearly 500 total yards and led three fourth quarter scoring drives to clinch the win. Then in Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes overcame a double-digit deficit and injuries to key teammates to lead the Chiefs to their first championship in 50 years.

Even this past season, Mahomes willed the Chiefs to victory time and again. He engineered game-winning drives against the Browns, Raiders, and Chargers down the stretch. His playmaking in crunch time is truly special. While Reid is an offensive guru, Mahomes has proven he can carry a team when they need it most regardless of scheme or situation. His otherworldly talent and winning mentality is what separates him.

Despite coming through in the clutch countless times throughout his young career already, some still question Mahomes’ ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. However, he has proven time and again that he thrives under pressure unlike any other quarterback in the league currently.

In his first playoff run in 2018, Mahomes led three separate double-digit comebacks, including a historic overtime victory over the Patriots in the AFC title game. The next season, he accounted for nearly 300 total yards to erase a 24-0 deficit in the Divisional Round against the Texans. Of course, Mahomes then led the Chiefs back from 10 points down in the 4th quarter of Super Bowl LIV for the franchise’s first championship in 50 years.

Even this past regular season, Mahomes engineered five separate game-winning drives in the 4th quarter or overtime. Against the Browns, Raiders, and Chargers to close the season, Mahomes willed his team to victory time and again in one-score games. His 9 fourth quarter comeback wins since entering the league in 2017 are the most of any quarterback during that span.

Simply put, the bigger the stage, the better Mahomes seems to play. He thrives under pressure and has proven time and again that he is perhaps the clutchest quarterback in the entire NFL right now. The data is overwhelmingly on his side when it comes to delivering in high-leverage moments against top competition.

He’s Not Durable

Given his willingness to extend plays with his legs and take big hits, some question Mahomes’ durability over the long haul. However, despite playing a physical style, Mahomes has proven remarkably resilient through his first four NFL seasons so far.

In his career up to this point, Mahomes has missed a total of just three games – two last season due to a toe injury and one in 2020 with a concussion. For a quarterback who averages over 30 rushing attempts per year and takes on defenders near the line of scrimmage, that’s an incredible durability track record.

Mahomes’ combination of size, athleticism, and toughness has allowed him to withstand punishment that would sideline lesser players. He knows how to slide and get out of bounds to avoid big hits while also possessing the strength to power through contact. Off the field, Mahomes is also a meticulous trainer who prioritizes recovery, flexibility, and conditioning.

Barring any major injuries, there’s no reason to doubt Mahomes’ ability to hold up physically over the long-term. His playstyle may come with risks, but so far he has proven remarkably resilient. With his combination of talent, toughness, and dedication to his body, Mahomes should be able to sustain elite production well into his 30s.

Conclusion

While Patrick Mahomes is still relatively early in his career, he has already established himself as one of the best and most dominant quarterbacks in NFL history. However, there remain some persistent misunderstandings about what truly separates Mahomes from his peers. As this article detailed, Mahomes succeeds due to his mental processing, accuracy, playmaking ability, clutch gene, and durability – not solely due to physical tools or supporting cast. He has proven time and again that he can elevate those around him and will his team to victory in virtually any situation. Mahomes is simply on another level, and likely has many more amazing performances still to come.