Pat Mahomes: Everything You Need To Know About the Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback

Nov 11, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) takes the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick Mahomes stands at 6’3” and weighs 225 pounds. Born September 17, 1995, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is 23 years old.

Mahomes was born and raised in Tyler, Texas. He attended Whitehouse High School where he threw for 4,619 yards, 65 touchdowns, and ran for 948 yards during his senior season. Because of the numbers he put up throughout his senior year, he was named the 2013 AP Texas State Player of the Year.

Mahomes is eldest of three children—he has a younger brother and sister. His father, Pat Mahomes Sr., was a professional baseball player and played for several organizations, including the Minnesota Twins and the New York Mets.

Mahomes received several offers to play at Texas Tech, Houston, and Rice. Ultimately, he chose to play at Texas Tech. At Tech he threw for a total of 5,032 yards, solidifying his spot in 12th place in the FBS record book for career passing yards.

Mahomes was the 10th overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs traded up, in a surprise move, to select Mahomes. 

Mahomes’ contract with the Chiefs is fully guaranteed over four years worth $16.4 million and came with a $10.1 million signing bonus.

Mahomes performed well at the 2017 NFL combine. He thrived in the throwing drills and tied the record for the fastest ball thrown at over 60 mph. His 40-yard dash clocked in at 4.80 seconds. 

In his scouting profile, it was noted that Mahomes shared similar characteristics with Jay Cutler. A year later, after seeing Mahomes start every game for the Chiefs and generate big team wins, others have pinned him an “Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre mixture” because of his ability to throw the football long distances, be mobile in and out of the pocket, and his overall vision across the field.

Growing up, Mahomes watched the Dallas Cowboys a lot. However, the quarterback that he looks up to the most, and who now many compare him to, is Favre.

While he was in high school, Mahomes played basketball and baseball. Mahomes was drafted in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers, but decided against following his father’s footsteps and went on to play football at Texas Tech.

When Patrick Mahomes Sr. was a pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, he befriended fellow Twins pitcher LaTroy Hawkins. Several years into their friendship, Patrick Mahomes II was born and Mahomes Sr. asked Hawkins to be his son’s godfather.

Mahomes made his NFL debut during the Chiefs' 2017 regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. In the Chiefs’ 27-24 victory, he completed 22 of 35 passes and threw for a total of 284 yards. 

Because of his baseball background, Mahomes’ throwing ability is impressive. During his high school baseball days, he threw a no-hitter and struck out 16 batters in a single game. In the Chiefs’ preseason matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, Mahomes completed a 69-yard pass to Tyreek Hill. According to ESPN, a pass traveling that distance has only been completed four other times in a regular season NFL game since 2001. 

The Chiefs’ Week 7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals was a record-breaking day for Mahomes. In the game, he surpassed Kurt Warner and set the record for most touchdown passes thrown in his first eight career games (22).

When the Chiefs defeated the Broncos in Week 3 earlier this year, Mahomes exhibited more of the special capabilities he has. During the Monday Night Football game, Mahomes dropped back, rolled to his left, and was chased by Broncos linebacker Von Miller when he barely got the ball out of his left hand to Tyreek Hill. The natural righty didn’t try to make the pass perfect but instead made every effort to convert a third down. And everybody took notice on the new kid on the block.