Perspectives that apply to most NFL teams typically don’t apply to the Kansas City Chiefs. For example, reaching the Super Bowl but coming up short is oftentimes viewed as a roaring success of a season. For Andy Reid’s team, it’s an instance of leaving the campaign feeling like they failed.
That mentality stems from their leadership and trickles down throughout the team. Another Hall of Fame talent and competitor is quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The two-time NFL MVP didn’t emerge with a victory in the biggest game of the year, instead going back to the drawing board.
For 2025-26, that may be the best thing that happened. It woke up the beast in Mahomes, which is evident at training camp to fans and media alike. In his takeaways from practice, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated relayed an observation that’s huge for the Chiefs.
Breer: Patrick Mahomes ‘Has Had a Look About Him’ at Chiefs Camp
Breer revealed that Mahomes is clearly as locked in as he’s ever been.
“This might sound corny, but the people here think Patrick Mahomes has had a look about him through the team’s three weeks at Missouri Western State University,” Breer wrote. “He’s being aggressive in pushing the ball downfield. He’s pushing his receivers. What that all translates to, we’ll see. But for now, it’s a way of bringing the team along with him, with a ratcheted-up intensity and focus from a team that didn’t really need anything extra to begin with.”
This shouldn’t take anyone by surprise. Every all-time great has a certain edge about them. Mahomes is no different, even leading to those in Chiefs circles dubbing his alter ego “Petty Patrick” in recent years. Mahomes’ peers and coaches can recognize it, too. Speaking to the media following an August training camp practice, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said Mahomes’ fire burns at the “highest level of probably any player in the NFL.”
Mahomes has admitted he didn’t play to his standard last season. He threw for fewer yards than he ever has in a full campaign. His 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions marked a respectable year for most signal-callers, but not him. Mahomes struggled to push the football down the field with accuracy, which was partially his fault but also due to his surroundings.
Speaking of which, the six-time Pro Bowler should bounce back given the current state of the Chiefs’ offense.
Improvements Could Determine Kansas City’s Ceiling on Offense in 2025
Perhaps the biggest non-self culprit of Mahomes’s 2024-25 shortcomings was the left tackle position. Second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia came into the year as the starter, but he lasted just two weeks before being removed from the lineup. Former third-rounder Wanya Morris got some brief run but struggled to stay healthy (or consistent). In-season signing D.J. Humphries didn’t pan out as planned. That all prompted left guard Joe Thuney to move over one spot. He was holding his own… until he wasn’t.
In addition to not trusting his tackles, Mahomes never had a full complement of receivers. One drive into the preseason, wideout Marquise “Hollywood” Brown suffered a sternoclavicular injury that held him out for months. In Week 4 of the regular season, star pass catcher Rashee Rice got taken out by Mahomes on a tackle attempt following an interception. He missed the remainder of the year. With Brown hobbled again at camp and a suspension potentially looming for Rice, things aren’t set in stone for the Chiefs right now.
The high-end outcome seems like more of a theory than a reality until proven. Internal development from players like 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy will help. If tight end Travis Kelce is able to fight off Father Time, that could also make a difference. Not everything is wrapped up in left tackle play and health of two receivers. Mahomes can find ways to manage if things are less than perfect.
It sure would make his life easier if he caught a break, though. Luckily, he’s keeping his head down and working either way.
