Patrick Mahomes admits flaws and promises more deep-ball aggression

Patrick Mahomes isn’t hiding. In the middle of the Kansas City Chiefs’ training camp, the quarterback acknowledged there’s one area he can’t afford to ignore any longer: deep throws.

After a season marked by offensive inconsistency and a painful Super Bowl loss, Patrick Mahomes knows the Chiefs need to reclaim their identity. And that identity has always been tied to his ability to stretch the field and punish defenses with long passes.

“If teams are going to challenge us to throw deep, we have to prove we can do it,” said Patrick Mahomes, in a statement that reflects not just self-awareness, but a clear roadmap for the Chiefs’ immediate future.

The numbers tell the story

According to sports outlet The Sports Rush, the numbers back up his concern. Between 2018 and 2022, Patrick Mahomes averaged more than four deep pass attempts per game (throws over 20 air yards), with an impressive efficiency: 45 touchdowns, just 12 interceptions, and a passer rating of 112.3.

However, over the last two seasons, that average dropped to just three attempts per game, with only four touchdowns and eight turnovers. His passer rating on deep throws plummeted to 47.7—a decline that reflects not only a shift in style, but a loss of vertical threat from Patrick Mahomes.

The outlet also highlights that the departure of Tyreek Hill in 2022 was a turning point for the Chiefs. Without Hill’s elite speed and ability to stretch defenses, Patrick Mahomes was forced to operate in tighter spaces, relying on short routes and intermediate throws. Defenses responded with two-high safety schemes designed to shut down deep shots. The result was a more methodical, less explosive offense that struggled in key moments.

Reinforcements for the new season

But the Chiefs didn’t sit still. This season, they’ve revamped their receiving corps with names that promise to bring back offensive firepower: Hollywood Brown, Justyn Ross, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy, and Rashee Rice. They also added rookies Jalen Royals and Elijah Badger, who could inject speed and freshness on the outside. While Travis Kelce may be showing signs of wear, he remains a key target in short-yardage situations—and a trusted weapon for Patrick Mahomes.

 

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The offensive line also got a boost. With free agent Jaylen Moore and rookie Josh Simmons joining the mix, the Chiefs aim to give Patrick Mahomes the time he needs to throw without hesitation. Simmons joins a solid unit that includes Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, and Jawaan Taylor, among others.

For now, Patrick Mahomes has three Super Bowl rings and two MVPs in his trophy case. But more importantly, he still has the ability to reinvent himself. And if he can reignite the vertical fire that once made him a nightmare for defenses, the Chiefs could be in for a dangerous resurgence.