Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes still has a long way to go
By Ben Almquist
It is easy for Kansas City Chiefs fans and media to get wrapped up in first round pick Patrick Mahomes. However, the quarterback still has a ways to go before being ready.
Kansas City Chiefs fans are always excited about the NFL Draft. That is especially true of their first round pick. So you can imagine how much that has been amplified by the Chiefs drafting a quarterback in the first round for the first time in 35 years. The reactions are wild, but fans (and media) need to temper their excitement. Patick Mahomes has some developing to do.
For a while now, the big name that Patrick Mahomes has been compared to is former Packers quarterback Brett Favre. Big arms, good athleticism, a complete lack of fear…but also strange mechanics and some very questionable decisions. Yes, the bad comes with the good in that comparison.
However, Chiefs fans need to hope that Pat Mahomes breaks away from that comparison and begins to resemble another Packers quarterback…Aaron Rodgers. Don’t be shocked, that comparison is not very far off. Rodgers also came into the NFL with all those same traits as Mahomes and Brett Favre.
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Different Paths To Success
Most fans don’t remember how similar Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre were at the time. That is a result of the developing that Rodgers did while sitting behind Favre in Green Bay. Rodgers used that time to hone his craft and change his mechanics rather than relying on natural talent and grit. That is what Chiefs fans should want from Pat Mahomes.
The biggest issues that scouts found with Patrick Mahomes were largely in his footwork, base, and throwing mechanics. The same is true of both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. It’s part of the reason why Favre was drafted in the second round and Rodgers late in the first.
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However, where Favre embraced his unique style of play, Rodgers decided to change. The end result has been two very different quarterbacks who have both seen success in the NFL. So what is the difference? The style of Aaron Rodgers is more sustainable and easier to build around. The Packers have only missed the playoffs once with Rodgers under center.
Developing Is Possible
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One major takeaway from this though is that there is a clear sign that Patrick Mahomes can develop. As mentioned, Aaron Rodgers also had many of the same concerns as Mahomes does. The fact that Mike McCarthy and his staff were able to bring him along so far is very encouraging.
Aaron Rodgers has even spoken about the developments in his game. Rodgers has explained how he has made changes to the way he did things that have helped him improve. That is what the Chiefs need from Patrick Mahomes. Brett Favre is great and all, but that doesn’t mean you want to model your quarterback after him.
Let’s not forget some very important things. Yes, Favre put up some all-time great numbers. He also put up some of the worst all-time numbers as well. When you do that, it doesn’t work out very often. Brett Favre is the exception to the rule.
The other thing to remember is that most quarterbacks with bad mechanics do not work out. In fact, most aren’t even drafted, or are drafted very late. For every Brett Favre, there is a Tim Tebow…not to mention about ten other guys none of us even remember.
Don’t let anyone tell you that mechanics aren’t important for quarterbacks in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs staff knows as well as anyone that it’s far easier to find success if you’re doing things the right way. That is the path that Patrick Mahomes needs to be on.