Patrick Mahomes’ stats fell in ’24 but a rival coach said he was better than ever
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 3,926 yards and 29 touchdowns during the 2024 season, and both stats represented single-season lows since he became a starter.
However, Mahomes still led the Chiefs to a 15-1 record and a piece of NFL history. The Chiefs were the first two-time defending Super Bowl champions to advance to a third straight Super Bowl.
And they did it despite a number of issues on the offensive side of the ball.
The Chiefs had four players start at left tackle last season and top receiver Rashee Rice missed most of the year, as did Marquise Brown. And running back Isiah Pacheco appeared in just seven games.
That likely explains why Mahomes was voted as the NFL’s top quarterback in an ESPN survey of league executives, coaches and scouts.
One NFL coordinator marveled at what Mahomes accomplished last season given all the issues with the offense.
Here is what that coach told ESPN: “OL in decline, particularly at tackle, WR group completely cleaned out by injury, (Travis) Kelce not near the same player. I thought he had more command of time/score/situation and better fundamentals from within the pocket than ever. He’s a one-man army. And no NFL coach wants to deal with him. Complete dawg. No one like him. Maybe (Joe) Burrow, but Burrow isn’t as dangerous as a player.”
Mahomes’ passing yards may have been down, but he led all NFL quarterbacks in fourth-quarter comebacks (five) and game-winning drives (seven).
The lowest Mahomes was ranked in the ESPN survey was fourth, and that person expected Mahomes to put up big numbers in the 2025 season.
“Other guys played great,” that NFC executive told ESPN. “He took a little step back based off the last few seasons. I don’t expect it to last.”
Buffalo’s Josh Allen was second on the list, followed by Burrow, the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Commanders’ Jayden Daniels.
This story was originally published July 15, 2025 at 8:44 AM.
