Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made an extremely strong statement after his team’s 27-20 playoff win against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
Mahomes suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter of the win against the Jags and he had to leave the game for most of the second half. Chad Henne entered in relief before Mahomes returned in the second half.
The gutsy performance from Mahomes was impressive, but it was hardly a surprise. I think most fans and media analysts assumed that it wouldn’t be easy to keep Mahomes out of a playoff game. After the game, Mahome was asked if he considered coming out of the game due to his obvious limitations (he was extremely limited in his mobility).
Specifically, Mahomes was asked if he would’ve come out of the game if he thought he was hindering the offense. And Mahomes made it clear that coming out of a playoff game will never be an option for him.
“I mean I’m not coming out of a playoff game unless they take me out,” said Mahomes. “I’m just going to play. I love this sport too much. I love this game.
I love playing with my teammates and being able to go out there and enjoy it together.” “We prepare all year to be in the playoffs and to play in these games and I’m glad that I was able to get back in the game and it’s something that I just love competing in this sport and pain is pain and you’re going to have to deal with it either way.”
Some folks might look at that comment and think it’s selfish — why wouldn’t Mahomes come out of the game if he was hindering the offense?
But what those folks don’t understand is that Mahomes at 25 percent is better than almost any backup option in the NFL. And I think we saw that on Saturday night.
Pat Mahomes with one leg is still Pat Mahomes🤯pic.twitter.com/lbrJ3HvEL3
— OutKick (@Outkick) January 22, 2023
We’re truly witnessing something special with Mahomes. The normal rules of quarterbacking don’t apply to him. If he can stand, he’s likely still the best option for the Chiefs. That’s how incredible he is as a quarterback.
