Patrick Mahomes surpasses Chiefs legend Len Dawson in a franchise record that has stood for decades

It became apparent from the 2018 NFL season that Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes would have a chance to rewrite the franchise record books. He's already become the franchise leader in quarterback rushing yards, but now he's taking hold of a statistic of greater importance.  With 117 passing yards (so far) in the first half against […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
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Sep 5, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens during warm ups at GEHA Field at Arrowhead
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It became apparent from the 2018 NFL season that Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes would have a chance to rewrite the franchise record books. He's already become the franchise leader in quarterback rushing yards, but now he's taking hold of a statistic of greater importance. 

With 117 passing yards (so far) in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, Mahomes has become the franchise leader in passing yards. He's surpassed late Chiefs legend Len Dawson, who previously held the franchise record for passing yards with 28,507 yards. It just continues his trend of dominance in Week 1 games over the past seven seasons. 

Here's what the passing yards leaderboards now look like for Kansas City: 

  1. Patrick Mahomes – 28,541 (and counting)
  2. Len Dawson – 28,507
  3. Trent Green – 21,459
  4. Alex Smith – 17,608
  5. Bill Kenney – 17,277

The play that made Mahomes the all-time passing yards leader was about as perfect as could be. It was a 23-yard pass from Mahomes to TE Travis Kelce on a play that saw Mahomes scramble and improvise. 

Mahomes calls Dawson a pioneer of the quarterback position

Mahomes has always shown a great deal of respect for those who came before him in Kansas City. He had a special relationship with the late Dawson, which is abundantly clear whenever he's asked about him. Asked about the record he just broke on the first of September, Mahomes again spoke enthusiastically about the franchise great. 

"He pioneered the game to show how the quarterback could really go out there and dictate how you play the position and how you play on the offensive side of the ball," Mahomes said. "And then getting to meet Len and how good of a person he was, it truly is remarkable to go out there and have a chance to break some of his records. Because, I mean, the fact that he's able to put those yards up and that that record sustained for so long speaks to the player and the person that he is."

Dawson did in 14 years from 1962 through 1975 what took Mahomes only six seasons and two games as a starter to surpass. The passing game is much different now than it was when Dawson was under center. That said, Mahomes is still on a blazing-fast pace that won't just establish him as the most prolific passer in franchise history, but as one of the all-time greats to play the game. 

“It’s a little bit different game now with the passing the way it is, but he has so much respect for (PFHOF QB) Len (Dawson) before Len passed," Chiefs HC Andy Reid said. "They had a relationship there, they talked. The game’s just – it’s a little different. There’s just a little bit more passing that goes on now. At the college – at all levels really. You start at the little kid’s level and on up through high school and college and the ball is being thrown more. It’s a compliment to Pat (Patrick Mahomes) because he does it the right way, he handles it the right way. As great as he is, he’s a humble guy and respects the things that happened before him, he gets it.”

Some more history that Mahomes can grab on Thursday night

Speaking of Mahomes' historic pace, he's one 300-yard passing game away from the most in NFL history through 10 seasons. Keep in mind that Mahomes is entering his eighth overall season and just his seventh season as a starter. Former Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan is the current record-holder with 45. Mahomes tied Ryan for the 45 300-yard passing game mark back in Week 15 of the 2023 NFL season.

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