For the first time since becoming the Kansas City Chiefs starting quarterback in 2018, Patrick Mahomes was not selected for the NFL Pro Bowl. Despite leading his team to a 15-1 record and securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed, Patrick Mahomes was the odd man out of this year’s roster.
The quarterbacks chosen over Mahomes include Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow to represent the AFC. Although Mahomes this season has had an average season for most, when you’ve reached the heights he has his level of production can certainly seem pedestrian. However, with the playoffs on the horizon, this snub may serve as additional motivation for the star quarterback.
Mahomes’ Pro Bowl Streak Ends
Until this season Patrick Mahomes had been a Pro Bowl selection every year since becoming the Chiefs’ starting quarterback. This year’s exclusion from the list marks the first break in his streak, despite the Chiefs having one of the most impressive seasons in franchise history. Kansas City earned the top seed in the AFC, which comes with the lone first-round bye week along with having the playoffs go through your stadium. All of this would not be possible without Patrick Mahomes at the center of it all, and now the Chiefs are on their way to playing for their third consecutive Super Bowl title.
Even in a “down year” for Mahomes, his regular season this year has been good, but not one of the greatest ever which is what he is compared to. Mahomes finished with 3,928 passing yards, the lowest total of his career as a starter. Additionally, his 26 touchdown passes tied for the fewest he has thrown in a single season. Numbers like these for the majority of quarterbacks in this league would be considered a strong season, but for Mahomes, and in the eyes of the voters, he fell short compared to his Pro Bowl peers.
However, not everything went in the opposite direction for Mahomes this season. He posted the highest completion rate of his career at 67.5%. He also cut down on interceptions this season only having 11 which is his lowest total since 2020.
Patrick Mahomes Motivated For Postseason Success
Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are one team that no one should ever want to face. They have shown the ability to take any slight and make it personal. Once they step on the field they will make it their mission to remind people of perceived slights. Now, the reigning two-time Super Bowl MVP has been snubbed from the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Mahomes might not admit it, but this is something he won’t forget as the playoffs play out. He will likely be playing at least two of three guys that got in over him.
Great players often use perceived slights to push themselves to greater heights. Mahomes throughout his career has taken the mantle from Tom Brady. When the postseason rolls around, and the pressure is at its highest, this is where we see him thrive the most. With a strong supporting cast and experienced coaching staff, the Chiefs are aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. While winning back-to-back championships is rare, achieving a three-peat would cement Kansas City’s dynasty under Mahomes.
Even with his omission as a starter, Mahomes is the first alternate for the Pro Bowl. However, Mahomes and the Chiefs have no intention of a single one of their players being there because they hope to instead be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the third straight year.
Final Thoughts
Patrick Mahomes’ absence from this year’s Pro Bowl roster is a testament to the depth of talent in today’s NFL. While his numbers may not have matched his usual standards, his ability to continue to adapt to change consistently is what sets him apart from the pack. The snub, while surprising, is not going to detract from his ultimate goal of leading Kansas City to another Super Bowl victory.
As Mahomes prepares for the postseason by getting some much-deserved time off this week, this Pro Bowl omission could serve as a reminder of the importance of team success over individual recognition. With the Chiefs on the verge of making NFL history, Patrick Mahomes is poised to show once again why he is the greatest quarterback of his generation.
