Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes driven by past postseason shortcomings, determined to repeat as champion
Regardless of what sport they play, all-time great athletes typically share a certain mentality. Part of that mentality is to be the undisputed best within their sport or at their specific position. The second best doesn't cut it. If they're not on top, they take it personally. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of […]
Regardless of what sport they play, all-time great athletes typically share a certain mentality. Part of that mentality is to be the undisputed best within their sport or at their specific position. The second best doesn't cut it. If they're not on top, they take it personally.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of those athletes. Not only is he driven to be the best, but when he comes up short, he's haunted by it. Mahomes touched on that subject when he was asked by reporters about the instances where he has come up short in the postseason.
"It’s tough to get that close and not get in the game," Mahomes said. "It’s tougher to get in the game and lose it, so I’ll try to keep away from that as well. Those negative moments are what stick with you the rest of your career.”
Mahomes first came up short during his first season as the Chiefs' starting quarterback in 2018 when K.C. lost a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Outside linebacker Dee Ford infamously lined up offsides on a crucial play in which quarterback Tom Brady threw what would have been a game ending interception. The game went into overtime with the Pats winning the coin toss and marching right down the field, scoring a walk-off touchdown.
In 2020 the Chiefs came close to repeating as champs, but multiple key injuries and a motivated Tampa Bay Buccaneers team slammed the door shut by a 31-9 final score. Mahomes played his tail off in that game, but the Chiefs were simply out of gas. In 2021 K.C. lost another gut-wrenching AFC Championship Game in overtime, this time to an up-and-coming Cincinnati Bengals team. The second half of that game was one of the worst performances of Mahomes' career.
Mahomes also told reporters that this season has a little bit of a different feel to it as the Chiefs are currently playing their best football.
"So, this year it’s been completely opposite. It’s been a struggle throughout the season, and we’ve had to continue to get better and better. That’s what I’ve always preached. I think some of the losses forced up – we have to continue to get better. I think now it’s not just being satisfied with getting there – this is a great football team we’re going up against, it’s going to take our best football, kind of like it’s taken the last three weeks that we’ve played. So, we have to do whatever we can to prepare ourselves this week in practice, next week in practice, to be ready to go. I know it’s Vegas, it’s a lot of fun, but for us, it’s a business trip in a true sense. We’re going there to play a football game and try to find a way to win it. I think that has to be the mindset starting today.”
The Chiefs are definitely peaking at the right time after an up-and-down regular season. They are carrying a ton of momentum and confidence into Super Bowl LVIII against the San Fransisco 49ers. If K.C. gets the win, Mahomes' championship attitude and will is going to be one of the biggest reasons why. The Chiefs have the opportunity to be the first repeat champion since the Patriots did it in 2002 and 2003.
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