RIP Patrick Mahomes’ Career (According to Everyone)
- Shannon Storm
- Jan 25
- 4 min read
The Kansas City Chiefs, for the first time since 2014, missed the NFL playoffs. Anyway, RIP Mahomes' career, 2017-2026
I’m joking. It’s crazy to think that many people are already predicting what’s next for the 2026-27 NFL season when this season isn’t even over. Some are even predicting who might make the playoffs next season. (Just talking heads on TV trying to fill airtime)
“The No. 1 advice I would give Micah Parsons and Patrick Mahomes right now is not to play next year." – Robert Griffin III
Whether he believes his own statement or just said it to get people’s attention and clicks, it’s laughable to say that when plenty of other athletes have bounced back in the same time frame or quicker.
Joe Burrow tore his ACL back in November of 2020. The following season, not only did he play well, but he also took the Bengals to the Super Bowl. (Losing to the Rams 23-20) NBA athlete Jamal Murray tore his ACL in April of 2022. He returned the next season with the Denver Nuggets and helped them win the NBA title.
So, to say that Mahomes should sit out because he might not be ready to play is an absurd take.
What about when Brady tore his ACL in 2008? Many people came to his side, excited, waiting for the GOAT to return to the field. No one was spewing pointless what-ifs or saying that Brady should sit next season out. Why is that? Partly because journalism was different 17 years ago, caring more about the facts and sharing their opinions within reason.
Most of the articles I could find from 2009 and 2010 questioned whether Brady would be able to move the way he used to. They were worried for him, not criticizing him.
"They will be looking for any sign of weakness, any vulnerability that says he isn't the same quarterback he was before."
Other articles are simply laying out the facts of Brady's injuries. The opinions were nothing about whether his dynasty run is over. It was more of the fans who were worried and making those comments. Here's an article I found from 2008 where fans emailed Bill Simmons about Brady's injury. (A good read if you're ever bored.)
People were very impressed with Brady's quick turnaround. Something that I doubt anyone will do for Mahomes, except maybe a select few.
"So yeah, while the Patriots won't finish 16-0 this season, stop for a moment and consider all that the 32-year-old quarterback" endured and accomplished over a twelve-month span and ask yourself, What more could the guy have done?"
I also think people don’t like Mahomes and want him to fail. (That might also be a crazy take but I'm not using that as a headline for clicks.) If Mahomes wins, the question is always, “Can he do it again?” If he loses, they talk about how his run might be over. Never letting him just win or have a bad game or season.
When Brady returned in 2009, he took the Patriots all the way to the wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens. (Losing 33-14) Brady continued to take the Pats to every playoff season until leaving to play for Tampa Bay, and still he played in every playoff season until retirement, also going to six Super Bowls and winning four. (2014, 2016, 2018, 2020)
2010-2018 are arguably Brady’s prime years. Coming back from his ACL injury, Brady reached a new high, and in 2010, he won the MVP award. (and in 2017) Brady had reached a career high of 5,235 yards in 2011. 2016 was the memorable game of the 28-3 comeback game. 2020, first season with Tampa Bay, and won the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, 31-9
How is Mahomes any different? He has checked off every career milestone on the list. He has a Super Bowl record of 3-2, has appeared in six straight AFC championship games, was the NFL passing leader and TDs leader in 2018 and 2022. In 2018, he reached 50 TDs. He was quick to pass the 10,000 passing yards and 200 passing TDs. What else do you want him to do to prove that he is more than a short-window QB?
Brady missed the playoffs early in his career. This is simply Mahomes’ first time doing so. Every team is going to hit a roadblock and fail.
From 1985 to 1990, Michael Jordan’s Bulls couldn’t break through in the playoffs, losing to the Detroit Pistons three straight years from 1988 to 1990.
Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers couldn’t break through. When they finally reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1983, they were swept by the New York Islanders.
Even Derek Jeter hit roadblocks before the Yankees returned to a dynasty.
The point being that Mahomes is not Brady, he’s not Manning, Montana, or Elway. He’s Patrick Mahomes. He had one setback like every other athlete on Earth. To the people who are going to argue that he should sit out, or that his career is over, is completely missing the point.
Setbacks don’t end careers or diminish the work.
P.S (No, I’m not a Chiefs fan)
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