The Rise of Patrick Mahomes: A Legend in the Making
Born in Tyler, Texas and raised in Whitehouse, Texas, Patrick Mahomes was destined for greatness long before he became one of the NFL’s most electrifying quarterbacks. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Mahomes excelled in football, baseball and basketball, showcasing his exceptional athleticism and arm strength early on. His father, former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes, undoubtedly influenced Patrick’s love for baseball, and it was no surprise when the young phenom displayed a cannon for an arm on the mound. During his high school career, Mahomes was regularly clocked throwing his fastball in the 90s, and his highlight reel included a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts. At the plate, he went 3-for-4, nearly hitting for the cycle.
However, it was football where Mahomes would truly shine. By the time he reached college, he had narrowed his focus to just two sports: football and baseball. Despite being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Mahomes remained committed to playing college baseball at Texas Tech, where he made a handful of appearances in 2016 before deciding to leave the sport behind and focus on football.
From there, Mahomes’ trajectory was set. As Texas Tech’s starting quarterback for two and a half seasons, he put up eye-popping numbers: 11,252 passing yards, 93 touchdowns, and a 63.5% completion rate. His arm strength, mobility, and ability to make throws from all angles caught the attention of NFL scouts. At the 2017 NFL Combine, Mahomes' passes were clocked at 60 mph, tying a Combine record. Analysts had Mahomes ranked as a top-tier quarterback prospect, with SI.com listing him as the second-best quarterback in the draft, ESPN ranking him third, and NFLDraftScout.com placing him fourth overall.
On draft day, the Kansas City Chiefs made a bold move, trading up to the 10th overall pick to select Mahomes. It was a gamble that would pay off in a big way.
Mahomes spent his rookie season backing up veteran Alex Smith, starting just one game in 2017. But in 2018, he took over as the full-time starter, and the rest is history. In his first season as the Chiefs’ leader, Mahomes went 12-4, throwing for over 5,000 yards, 50 touchdowns, and posting a 66% completion rate. His incredible season earned him the NFL MVP award and signaled the beginning of an era of dominance in Kansas City.
Since then, Mahomes has not only shattered NFL records but has also led the Chiefs to new heights. In addition to his MVP, Mahomes has won three Super Bowls and been named Super Bowl MVP three times. He has earned Offensive Player of the Year honors and continues to rewrite the record books year after year. Some of his most notable achievements include:
Most consecutive 300-yard passing games
Fastest to 10,000, 25,000, and 30,000 career passing yards
Fastest to 100, 200, and 300 career passing touchdowns
Career passing yards per game (minimum 1,500 attempts)
Most passing touchdowns in a player’s first 50 games
Most passing touchdowns in a postseason
In the 2024-2025 season, Mahomes and the Chiefs entered the playoffs with a 15-2 record, securing the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a much-needed bye. Although Mahomes’ passing yards and touchdowns were lower than previous seasons, his ability to lead and make critical plays when needed was on full display. After defeating the Houston Texans 23-14, the Chiefs went to their seventh straight AFC Championship, an unparalleled feat in the current NFL landscape and once again disposed of the Buffalo Bills 32-29.
Since Mahomes became the starter in 2018, he has guided the Chiefs to an AFC Championship appearance every year. The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls and are gunning for a three-peat in 2025—an achievement no team has ever accomplished in the Super Bowl era. The Philadelphia Eagles are the only team standing in their way.
With his combination of athleticism, arm strength, and leadership, Patrick Mahomes has transcended the role of quarterback. He is now a living legend, and his journey is far from over.
Patrick Mahomes: The Definition of a Franchise Quarterback.
