Expect Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to reenter the MVP discussion this season.
In a poll from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, more than 60% of league executives and scouts picked Mahomes to win his third MVP.
“He’ll be even better next year,” an NFC executive told Fowler. “I think they have the speed to help Mahomes get his deep ball back. He and [tight end Travis] Kelce seem very motivated by a three-peat and the pressure that comes with it.”
Last season, Mahomes led the Chiefs to their third Super Bowl title in five years, but his numbers declined. In 16 games, he posted a career-low 63.1 QBR, throwing for 4,183 yards, 27 touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions.
His drop-off likely tied to an inconsistent receiving corps. Per Pro Football Reference, the Chiefs led the league in drops (44) and posted the second-lowest average target depth (6.2 yards).
This offseason, Kansas City signed wide receiver Marquise Brown (one year, $7M) and drafted Texas’ Xavier Worthy (pick No. 28).
On Friday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid indicated Brown (right shoulder) won’t play against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. However, Worthy — who broke the 40-yard dash record (4.21 seconds) at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine — should be ready to go and make an immediate impact.
K.C. also recently reunited with veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, who had 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdown catches in 16 games with the Chiefs in 2022. Reid said he should be available on Thursday.
The improved supporting cast should pay dividends for Mahomes. In her 2024 projections, NFL Media analytics expert Cynthia Frelund has Mahomes leading the league in passing TDs (34).
Mahomes probably won’t have to deal with as much chaos this season, allowing him to showcase why he’s considered the league’s best QB.
