NFL record-setting Mahomes not satisfied
Mike Jones: Chiefs’ red-hot QB says he still has opportunities to improve
Not even a full hour had passed since Kansas City’s red-hot quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, eclipsed yet another record and led his team to a 3-0 start to the NFL season.
No one would have blamed the second-year pro for taking time to soak in the 38-27 victory that came over San Francisco and in his first regular-season game at Arrowhead Stadium or three more touchdown passes, which increased his season total to 13 — surpassing Peyton Manning’s NFL record of 12 through the first three games of a season.
Although happy about all three factors, something gnawed at Mahomes.
“I just know we’re not where we could be. I left a lot of throws out there that I could have had some more touchdowns and given the receivers more chances to make plays,” Mahomes said in a phone interview with USA TODAY. “You can’t leave the throws that I did out there.” Wait. What?
“There were probably two 60-yard touchdowns that I could’ve thrown,” Mahomes explained.
He spoke of the scenario where he had speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill on a post route against 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman. Hill had his man beat, but Mahomes’ throw hung in the air a bit and that allowed Sherman to catch up to Hill and break up the pass in the end zone.
Also looming in Mahomes’ mind: the play where he had wideout Demarcus Robinson running down the seam. He knew the 49ers would give him that route and told Robinson to expect the ball. But Mahomes said, “I just got too excited and overthrew him.”
Neither of those plays had any bearing on the outcome of the game. But Mahomes definitely wanted each opportunity back.
It’s not that he’s greedy. It’s just that he knows those chances will present themselves again and he might not always get away with those misses. So the perfectionist in Mahomes wants to deliver every time and he never wants to exit a game with regrets.
“Each week as we keep playing, teams are going to get better and better,” Mahomes continued. “We play the Broncos next week on Monday night and they have a great team, so I’m excited to keep game-planning and not to leave those throws out there.”
Although just three games into his second professional season, Mahomes already speaks and approaches the game like a seasoned veteran. Never satisfied. Never complacent. The quest for perfection never ends.
But that’s precisely the mind-set that has positioned the 23-year-old for the success he has quickly achieved, and that mind-set is exactly why Mahomes will continue to thrive while directing a Chiefs offense that boasts a plethora of weapons and leads the NFL in scoring.
Don’t mistake Mahomes for a robot, however. Although he might not seem like it, he’s very much human and he very well could fall prey to his emotions.
Sunday as he prepared to run out of the tunnel at Arrowhead for the first time as a starter, he said his heart felt as if it were pounding out of his chest. He could hear and feel the passion of the fan base, and he wanted to reward their support and also make his family (in at- tendance on Sunday) proud.
Mahomes described that pregame moment as “surreal” and reminded himself to breathe, to continue to play within the system his coaches have tailored to his strengths and to trust his offensive line and playmakers to deliver for him.
Each week presents a new challenge for Mahomes because defensive coordinators have more game footage to dissect in search of ways to exploit his weaknesses. He definitely saw unfamiliar coverages and blitz packages Sunday against San Francisco. But he said the rules of the offense, his offensive line and skill players did their jobs and made it easier for him to do his.
Ultimately, the game played out as Mahomes had expected, with a victory and a mess of yards and points. Ma- homes passed for 314 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions while posting a passer rating of 115.5 en route to the record.
Although he couldn’t strike the two blown opportunities from his mind, Mahomes did acknowledge the sentimental value of achieving the record and putting himself in the company of Manning and other great quarterbacks. But then he quickly shifted focus to those around him.
“It’s awesome. I watched all those quarterbacks when I grew up, and they’re great, great players,” Mahomes said.
“But it’s not just me. I still have a long way to go. I’m just out there running the plan my coach wants me to run and getting it to these guys, and these guys are making some great plays.”