Every NFL season creates a fresh group of stars. Few players stay on top for 10 years. Patrick Mahomes is now doing exactly that, and this season has fans talking about his place in history.
Longevity at quarterback is truly rare because the position is brutal. Defenses adapt, and rivals keep rising. Standing out year after year takes talent, preparation, and a stubborn refusal to settle for good enough.
The injury that shook the Chiefs’ kingdom
Last December, Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL during a 16-13 loss to the Chargers. Backup Gardner Minshew then threw an interception that ended the Chiefs’ playoff hopes just a few plays later.
Surgery came the next night in Dallas. Dr. Dan Cooper repaired the damage, and the Chiefs said rehab would begin immediately. Recovery usually takes about 9 months, so his Week 1 status was still uncertain.
The timing made the blow even harder. Kansas City had built its identity around Mahomes for years. Losing him late in the season left the team and its loyal fans searching for answers right away.
A rehab that inspired the locker room
Mahomes set a bold goal early. He wanted to be ready for Week 1 with no restrictions. Doctors had to hold him back at several points because he pushed so hard during his rehab.
Receiver Rashee Rice returned from his own knee procedure this year. Watching Mahomes work taught him a powerful lesson, and Rice said he had no excuse to fall behind in his own recovery after seeing that.
The final hurdle came right before the season opener. Mahomes had no injury designation for Week 1. In 2025, he completed 62.7% of his passes for 3,587 yards.
Early results that silenced every doubter
Mahomes threw for 382 yards and 3 touchdowns against Indianapolis. He also steered the overtime drive that set up the winning kick. His 62.5% big-time throw rate on deep passes has been cited among the NFL’s best early-season marks.
Against Miami, Mahomes threw for 246 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception as Kansas City won 24-10. The victory gave him 98 regular-season wins, 1 more than Tom Brady managed in his first 10 seasons.
Pro Football Focus listed Mahomes among the NFL’s top quarterbacks early in the season. Through 3 games, he had 812 passing yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Thriving when the pocket collapses
Pressure reveals what a quarterback truly is. Many passers panic when defenders arrive early. Mahomes has always stayed calm and kept his eyes downfield. This season, that skill looks sharper than it has in years.
His early-season pressure numbers have supported the comeback story. He has continued creating positive plays while taking hits, giving Kansas City another sign that his knee has held up.
That toughness matters because of last season’s injury. Every hit now draws extra attention from fans and coaches alike. Mahomes keeps getting up and firing again, which calms many nerves around Kansas City each week.
From 10th overall pick to legend
Kansas City traded up to take Mahomes 10th overall in 2017. He has won 3 Super Bowls and owns a 17-4 playoff record. Only Tom Brady has more playoff wins among starting quarterbacks.
Those results explain why the comparison with Brady keeps coming up again. Greatness takes years to build, and 1 injury can threaten it all. Mahomes has answered that threat in convincing fashion.
Numbers only tell part of the story. Leadership and a true joy for the game matter just as much. Those traits help Kansas City stay confident after a rough year without a playoff trip.
A stronger supporting cast lifts everything
Kenneth Walker III has given Kansas City a powerful new weapon on the ground. He threatens defenses as both a runner and a receiver. That versatility forces opponents to defend every inch of the field.
A real run game changes everything for a passer. Defenders cannot simply sit back and wait for deep throws. That balance gives Mahomes more room and more easy choices on every single drive this season.
Balance also protects the quarterback. When the run game works, pass rushers cannot pin their ears back. That gives Mahomes extra time to find open targets deep downfield and keeps drives moving all game long.
A huge AFC West test in Vegas
When Mahomes starts, the Chiefs are 13-2 against the Raiders. Still, Las Vegas has changed. The Raiders have a new coaching staff and a remade roster, and the early results look impressive.
The Raiders started 3-0 for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, Kansas City entered the matchup with a 5-1 record at Allegiant Stadium, including postseason games played there.
Both teams entered undefeated, so first place in the AFC West was on the line. The game kicks off Sunday, Oct. 4, in Las Vegas, with CBS carrying the matchup.
What comes after the showdown
Kansas City has a Week 5 bye, followed by a Week 6 home game against the Chargers and challenging road trips. The Chiefs travel to Seattle in Week 7 and then face Denver on the road in Week 8.
Those games will show whether this fast start is real. Mahomes has already answered many questions about his knee. The next test is whether the team can keep this balance going for many more months.
Whatever happens next, Mahomes has already separated himself in this young season. He bounced back from a serious injury with poise and power. Chiefs fans can dream big again after last year’s heartbreak.
Little-known fact: Mahomes is the first non-golf Adidas athlete to launch his own golf line. Adidas Golf’s president said Mahomes was the first to show interest in working with the company on golf.
TL;DR
- Mahomes returned from a torn ACL and LCL and has played at an elite level.
- His early deep-ball production has helped power Kansas City’s 3-0 start.
- Kenneth Walker III and a stronger run game have helped the whole offense.
- The Chiefs face the unbeaten Raiders on Sunday, Oct. 4, in Las Vegas.
- His career resume keeps growing with 3 Super Bowl wins and a rising win total.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
