KC Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes is no longer the front runner for NFL MVP

As tough as it is to admit, Patrick Mahomes isn’t going to win NFL MVP.

What seemed like a foregone conclusion a few weeks ago is no more after Week 16; Patrick Mahomes won’t be winning NFL MVP when the 2020 season is said and done. KC Chiefs fans aren’t going to like hearing this, but it’s the truth — Aaron Rodgers is now the front runner for the prestigious award.

Here are the two quarterbacks’ numbers after 15 games:

• Patrick Mahomes – 4,740 yards, 38 touchdowns, 6 interceptions
• Aaron Rodgers – 4,059 yards, 44 touchdowns, 5 interceptions

While Mahomes has thrown for more yards, Rodgers has been tearing it up down the stretch. He threw for four touchdowns against the Titans on Sunday Night Football while Mahomes really struggled against the Falcons in what should have been a loss (the Falcons dropped what should have been a game-sealing interception).

Rodgers put on a clinic against a playoff team while Mahomes clammed up against a four-win squad. MVP isn’t determined by performances in one game but Mahomes played arguably the worst game of his career vs a really bad Falcons team while Rodgers thrived against a bigger and better team.

Two weeks ago I wrote an article detailing the arguments against Mahomes when it came to the MVP race. This was written when it was looking like Mahomes was pulling away for the honor but while Chiefs fans assumed the race was over, I knew it was going to be a near-photo finish between Mahomes and Rodgers.

My arguments for why the award could ultimately go to Rodgers is that Mahomes won MVP more recently and has more weapons. In that post, I also put whichever team gets the No. 1 seed could be a deciding factor but it’s looking like both the Chiefs and Packers will get the top seed in their respective conferences.

Chiefs Kingdom won’t be happy about this changing of the guards but facts are facts — Aaron Rodgers is more deserving of MVP as of now. With Mahomes likely sitting out in Week 17 (or should be sitting out anyway) and Rodgers having a lot to play for still, it seems all too likely that the Packers quarterback will officially pass Mahomes next week.

It’s unfortunate, as it seemed like a strong possibility for Mahomes to win MVP title No. 2 but nothing is handed to these guys. When it looked like the race was over, Rodgers reminded people of how good he still is and that’s going to pay dividends when it’s all said and done.