Patrick Mahomes is on the verge of making history, with his Kansas City Chiefs just one win away from their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years and a potential chance to become the first team to achieve a three-peat in the big game. Yet, for sports media personality Skip Bayless, Mahomes’ current playstyle leaves much to be desired.
On the latest episode of his self-titled show, Bayless expressed his disappointment in how Mahomes has evolved as a quarterback, criticizing what he perceives as a lack of excitement compared to his earlier years in the NFL.
“Has anybody out there but me noticed that Patrick Mahomes is no longer Patrick Mahomes?” Bayless asked pointedly, referring to the electric, high-flying performances that defined the quarterback’s early career.
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“That super-duper star, who took the NFL by storm in his first five years by ‘Bombs away, everybody go long and I’ll throw it 80 yards for touchdown after touchdown.’ Storm! Storm! Storm! Patrick Ma-Home Run is what he used to be. That guy is gone, along with much of the splash and the flash.”
Bayless calls out Mahomes: “This version is shockingly boring!”
Bayless lamented that Mahomes’ current style of play has become “shockingly boring,” dubbing him “the ultimate dink-and-dunk artist.” According to Bayless, Mahomes now prioritizes quick releases and shorter, safer passes rather than the jaw-dropping deep throws that once made him a household name.
“No NFL quarterback gets rid of the ball quicker than Patrick Mahomes,” Bayless continued, likening the quarterback’s approach to “playing the dollar slots” instead of chasing big wins at a casino. He added, “And it’s not like he’s 40 and conceding to age. Nope! Patrick Mahomes is playing like a grandpa at the ripe old age of 29.”
Despite Bayless’ critiques, Mahomes’ numbers tell a different story. In the Chiefs’ recent victory over the Buffalo Bills, Mahomes completed 18 of 26 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 43 yards and two additional touchdowns. His performances may lack the “splash and flash” Bayless craves, but they continue to deliver results. Now, as Mahomes prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans with another Lombardi trophy on the line, his ability to adapt his game could prove to be his greatest strength.