At a recent training camp, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs made a standout deep pass that energized fans. The play was the first snap of the team’s initial 7-on-7 session, where Mahomes bypassed a short route to unleash a perfectly placed pass over 40 yards to wide receiver Xavier Worthy, outmaneuvering the defender.
Mahomes chose not to celebrate widely, staying focused on maintaining a high level of practice intensity. He explained his mindset as wanting to elevate his thinking and dominate every single rep, treating the camp with no breaks or holidays.
Now in his ninth NFL season, Mahomes has already hit a major milestone for the Chiefs’ 2025 goals. The camp featured key developments: standout rookie Josh Simmons claimed the starting left tackle role, while Rashi Rice retained top receiver status. Mahomes’ performance across 17 practices showed improved accuracy and ball placement, even impressing his teammates.
Tight end Robert Tognhan praised Mahomes for threading the needle on difficult throws with seeming ease. Head coach Andy Reid, known for running intense camps, watched as Mahomes repeatedly practiced deep throws, demonstrating sharper footwork and less reliance on scrambling compared to past years.
This refined approach seems to pay off—Mahomes’ accuracy on deep balls has almost certainly improved, addressing a weakness from last season when he posted a career-low completion rate on throws traveling 15 or more yards and threw more interceptions than touchdowns on deep attempts.
During camp, Mahomes showcased his ability to place the ball in tight coverage, helping Isaiah Pacheco and others make impressive receptions off his throws. The quarterback’s anticipation and arm strength continue to fuel optimism that the Chiefs can push toward a fourth straight Super Bowl appearance.
Despite last year’s challenges—including injuries to key receivers like Hollywood Brown and Rashi Rice, unstable left tackle protection, and playing through a sprained ankle—Mahomes still delivered impressive production and led several winning drives. The addition of Simmons at left tackle, Suamataia at left guard, and veteran Jayron Moore is expected to strengthen the offensive line.
A notable practice in adverse weather demonstrated Mahomes’ skill in scrambling and executing behind-the-back passes, moves that highlight why he’s one of the game’s elite. Andy Reid likened quarterbacking to farming—always something to work on—as Mahomes and his teammates keep pushing to elevate their game.
Mahomes is being encouraged to leverage his exceptional arm strength to stretch the field more confidently this season, moving past last year’s cautious deep passing that contributed to their Super Bowl LIX loss. His awareness to assess coverage and trust his receivers appears sharper than ever.
New additions like Taykan Thorton and Tonyan have quickly integrated with Mahomes, exhibiting chemistry through precise deep catches. Rookie fourth-round pick Jalen Royals is also learning the ropes under Mahomes’ guidance, improving routes and earning confidence despite early drops, with Mahomes providing encouragement to keep striving.
Fan Take: This update on Mahomes shows how the Chiefs’ star is evolving his game to overcome last season’s shortcomings and lead a revitalized offense. For NFL fans, Mahomes’ continued growth means exciting, high-flying football ahead and a strong contender aiming for another Super Bowl run—raising the stakes and excitement for the sport’s top stage.