Patrick Mahomes II leads Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Lavon Mahomes II is the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback. He was born on September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas, and grew up in nearby Whitehouse. After playing at Texas Tech, he was drafted by Kansas City in 2017.
In September 2026, former NFL scout Daniel Kelly argued that Mahomes’ unconventional passing style has influenced younger quarterbacks. Kelly called that influence the “Patrick Mahomes Effect.”
Ex-Jets scout Daniel Kelly made the claim
Daniel Kelly spent 4 years in pro scouting with the New York Jets before working in NFL analysis and media. Sports Illustrated identifies him as a former Jets scout and an All Lions contributor.
Kelly also wrote Whatever It Takes, a book about his path into NFL scouting that was published in 2013. He has continued to write and speak about scouting and player evaluation.
Daniel Kelly names the Patrick Mahomes Effect
Kelly used the phrase “Patrick Mahomes Effect” to describe what he sees as a shift in quarterback play. He argues that Mahomes can make accurate throws without always relying on conventional footwork and that other quarterbacks may struggle to imitate him.
Mahomes has become known for sidearm, fading and off-balance throws. Kelly believes younger quarterbacks have tried to copy elements of that improvisational style.
Kelly says Mahomes ignores QB footwork rules
Kelly’s core criticism centers on footwork, not creativity alone. He believes Mahomes has spent nearly a decade building the arm strength, balance, and feel needed to throw accurately from difficult, unconventional positions most quarterbacks cannot replicate.
Younger players often copy Mahomes’ arm angle without the years of training behind it, Kelly says. That gap between imitation and true skill sits at the center of his criticism of modern quarterback development nationwide.
Kelly says Mahomes made drop steps obsolete
Kelly argues Mahomes’ influence has made the traditional 3-, 5-, and 7-step pocket dropbacks nearly obsolete. Those dropbacks had guided how NFL quarterbacks timed routes with receivers for decades before Mahomes reshaped the position.
Instead, Kelly says many quarterbacks now hold the football longer and try to extend plays rather than following a called route. He frames it as improvisation replacing structure, a pattern he considers a mixed outcome for the league.
Kelly says style gives Chiefs an edge
Kelly also links Mahomes’ unusual playing style to a competitive edge for the Chiefs beyond his own production. He believes opposing quarterbacks trying to replicate Mahomes often fall short, which indirectly benefits Kansas City on game days.
That theory remains Kelly’s personal opinion rather than a league statistic. Still, it reflects a broader debate among scouts about whether Mahomes’ improvisational approach has permanently altered how defenses and coaches prepare for opposing quarterbacks.
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart injures knee
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart injured his left knee during a 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on September 21, 2026. Kelly pointed to Dart’s injury while discussing his “Patrick Mahomes Effect” theory.
Kelly argued that quarterbacks who try to extend plays can expose themselves to more contact. Dart had completed 3 of 5 passes for 20 yards before leaving the game.
Rams defenders hit Dart from both sides
The injury happened on third and 8 during New York’s opening series at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Rams linebacker Byron Young hit Dart from his right side as pressure closed in near the line of scrimmage.
Linebacker Josaiah Stewart arrived from the opposite direction and undercut Dart’s legs, sending him hard to the turf. The 23-year-old walked to the medical tent, then to the locker room, and did not return to the game.
Coach Harbaugh awaits results on Dart’s MRI
Giants coach John Harbaugh initially said Dart’s knee injury appeared to involve the MCL and that an MRI would provide more clarity. Further evaluation found damage to Dart’s meniscus, MCL and PCL; his ACL remained intact.
The Giants have ruled Dart out for the remainder of the 2026 regular season and placed him on injured reserve. Harbaugh has left open the possibility of a postseason return if the team qualifies and Dart’s recovery allows it.
Jameis Winston now leads Giants offense
Veteran Jameis Winston replaced Dart against the Rams and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. The performance did little to ease concern about New York’s offense without its young starter.
Dart opened 2026 by completing 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and 3 touchdowns in a Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys. As a 2025 rookie, he threw for 2,272 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 starts.
Fun fact: Patrick Mahomes completed that famous left-handed pass to Tyreek Hill on October 1, 2018, during a 27-23 Kansas City Chiefs victory over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football
Mahomes returns from knee injury in 2026
Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee during a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on December 14, 2025. Dr. Dan Cooper operated the following day, and the Chiefs described roughly 9 months as a starting estimate for his recovery.
Mahomes returned for Kansas City’s September 14, 2026, opener against Denver. In the Chiefs’ 31-10 win, he passed for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception and scored on a 15-yard run.
Not everyone agrees with Kelly’s theory
Critics note that young players have always studied NFL stars, from Joe Montana and Brett Favre to Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Learning from a great quarterback is not new to football, they argue.
Outlets covering the story, including TMSPN, argued that Mahomes is not responsible for how other quarterbacks imitate him or for how a defender tackles another player. Copying a highlight, they wrote, is different from copying the skill behind it.
Mahomes’ latest practice moment showed his ability to keep things light on the field. Exploring why Patrick Mahomes turns an awkward moment in practice into an instant joke has caught fans’ attention.
Quarterback debate continues for Mahomes and Dart
Kelly’s comments have renewed discussion about how quarterbacks balance improvisation with pocket fundamentals. Extending a play can create an opening, but it can also give defenders more time to reach the passer. Dart was injured while trying to make a play against the Rams.
Mahomes and the Chiefs moved to 2-0 with an overtime win over the Colts on September 20. The Giants have since ruled Dart out for the rest of the regular season, with Jameis Winston taking over as starter.
Patrick Mahomes’ unique approach to quarterback play has been shaped by several influences. The quarterbacks who influenced Patrick Mahomes’ game reveal the players and styles that helped shape his game.
Do you think Mahomes changed quarterbacking for better or worse? Tell us in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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