Patrick Mahomes: A Career Defined by Numbers

[bg_collapse view=”button-orange” color=”#4a4949″ expand_text=”Show More” collapse_text=”Show Less” ]

Patrick Mahomes has cemented himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today. At just 26 years old, he has already accomplished so much in his young career. What makes Mahomes truly special is not just his natural talent and ability, but his consistency in putting up video game-like stats year after year. From his record-breaking performances to championships and awards, Mahomes’ career so far has truly been defined by the incredible numbers he constantly puts up.

Early Promise

Even before becoming a full-time starter, Mahomes was showing early flashes of his immense potential. As a backup playing behind veteran quarterback Alex Smith in 2017, Mahomes saw limited action but made the most of his opportunities. In just 4 games of playing time that season, Mahomes threw for 608 yards and 5 touchdowns. His passer rating of 104.7 in those games was a sign of things to come.

Mahomes’ breakout season came in 2018, his first year as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback. The numbers he put up that season were simply jaw-dropping. Mahomes threw for 5027 yards – the most passing yards in the entire NFL that year. His 50 touchdown passes also led the league and broke the franchise single season record. Incredibly, Mahomes achieved these lofty numbers in just his first season as a starter. His performance earned him the NFL Most Valuable Player award, making him just the second player in NFL history to win MVP in his first season as a full-time starter.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Since becoming a starter, Mahomes has continued shattering records at an astonishing pace. After just 75 career starts, Mahomes boasts the highest career passer rating in NFL history at 108.7. No other quarterback has ever achieved such excellence so early in their career. He also owns the NFL record for most touchdown passes through a player’s first 75 starts with 163.

In the 2020 season, Mahomes further cemented his place among the all-time greats. He became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 90 career touchdown passes, doing so in just 40 games. Later that season, he threw for 462 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the most single game passing yards in franchise history. He also owns the Chiefs’ single season records for touchdown passes in a season with 38 in 2018.

Mahomes’ arm talent allows him to make throws that few others can replicate. In 2020, Next Gen Stats tracked Mahomes completing a league-high 14 deep passes of over 20 yards downfield while being outside the pocket and under pressure. His combination of athleticism, pocket presence and accuracy is nearly unmatched in today’s NFL.

MVP Caliber Play

With his video game numbers has come MVP recognition. In 2018, Mahomes became just the second player ever to win NFL MVP in his first season as a full-time starter. He joined the legendary Dan Marino in this elite club of quarterbacks who achieved greatness from the get-go. Mahomes’ 50 touchdowns and 5027 passing yards simply could not be ignored in awarding him the league’s highest individual honor in just his first full season at the helm of an offense.

Mahomes came close to winning MVP again in 2019. He led the league with 4,031 passing yards and 26 touchdowns despite missing two games with a knee injury. While he ultimately lost out to Lamar Jackson that year, it was further proof of Mahomes’ ability to produce at an MVP level on a consistent basis. Entering his prime, Mahomes seems primed to challenge for many more MVP awards before his career is done.

Super Bowl Glory

While regular season stats and awards are impressive, the true mark of greatness for a quarterback is postseason success and Super Bowl rings. In just his first full season as a starter, Mahomes led the Chiefs on an incredible playoff run. After overcoming a 24 point deficit, the Chiefs defeated the Tennessee Titans 35-24 in the AFC Championship game to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LIV.

There, Mahomes put on a show against the San Francisco 49ers. He threw for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory. Mahomes’ performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, making him the youngest quarterback ever to win both the Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP. At just 24 years old, Mahomes had already reached the pinnacle of his profession.

The following season, Mahomes led the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl once again. While they fell short against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, the fact that Mahomes got the Chiefs within striking distance of back-to-back championships was a testament to his greatness. With Mahomes under center, the Chiefs will remain contenders for Super Bowls for years to come.

Winning Pedigree

Beyond the gaudy stats and individual accolades, what truly separates great quarterbacks is their ability to win football games. By that measure, Mahomes has established himself as an absolute winner since becoming the Chiefs’ starter. In his first 4 seasons as Kansas City’s QB1, Mahomes has amassed a remarkable 59-15 regular season record. His winning percentage of 0.797 is the best mark in NFL history for any quarterback through their first 4 seasons starting a minimum of 20 games.

Mahomes has led the Chiefs to the playoffs in each of his first 4 years at the helm. Including the postseason, his overall record stands at a sterling 67-20. Such consistent winning at both the regular season and playoff level is virtually unprecedented for a quarterback so early in his career. With Mahomes orchestrating one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, the Chiefs have established themselves as perennial Super Bowl contenders. As long as he remains in Kansas City, championships will be the expectation, not the exception.

Continued Excellence

At just 26 years old, Mahomes is still smack dab in the middle of his prime playing years. Fans have yet to see the best of what he can offer. With each passing season, Mahomes continues to refine his craft and evolve his game. He is a tireless worker who is always looking to improve. With his work ethic and otherworldly talent, there is little reason to believe Mahomes cannot sustain his amazing level of production and success for many more years to come.

Barring injury, Mahomes is on pace to shatter numerous all-time NFL records before calling it a career. 5,000 yard and 50 touchdown seasons may become the norm for him as opposed to the exception. Multiple Super Bowl rings and MVP awards are certainly within reach if he stays healthy. After only a handful of seasons in the NFL, Mahomes is already redefining what is possible at the quarterback position with his video game-like numbers. His career will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest ever when all is said and done. But for now, we can simply sit back and continue to be amazed by the incredible figures Mahomes puts up, which have defined his journey so far.