Patrick Mahomes

The quarterback who led Kansas City to back-to-back titles and a historic third straight appearance.

Patrick Lavon Mahomes II is an American professional football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Born on September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas, he became the team's starter in 2018 after serving as a backup to Alex Smith during his rookie season. Widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Mahomes is often considered the best of his generation. He led the Chiefs to seven consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and five Super Bowl appearances, winning three titles.

Quick Facts

Current team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Quarterback
Born: 17 September 1995
Birthplace: Tyler, Texas, U.S.
High school: Whitehouse (Whitehouse, Texas)
College: Texas Tech (2014–2016)
Draft year: 2017
Draft round: 1

Lore & Background

Mahomes began his journey at Whitehouse High School in Texas, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. He threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts as a senior and was named Maxpreps Male Athlete of the Year for 2013–2014. After being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB draft, he committed to Texas Tech University. As a junior in 2016, he led the FBS in passing yards and total touchdowns, winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy. In a single game against Oklahoma, he set NCAA records with 819 total offense yards and tied the record for single-game passing yards at 734. Selected 10th overall by the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL draft, he spent his rookie year as a backup before becoming the starter in 2018.

Reader's Guide

Mahomes was selected 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2017 NFL draft, trading up from the 27th pick. As a rookie, he completed two of five passes for 20 yards and one touchdown in his first action against Oklahoma State before starting seven games total. In 2018, after the trade of Alex Smith, Mahomes threw for 5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, winning NFL MVP. His performance made him one of four black quarterbacks to win the AP MVP award. He signed a 10-year contract extension worth over $450 million in 2020. In 2024, he led the Chiefs to their third straight Super Bowl appearance but lost Super Bowl LIX, falling short of a three-peat.

Did You Know?

Mahomes threw for a Big 12 freshman record 598 yards with six touchdowns in a single game against Baylor as a college freshman.
He is the godson of former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, who was his father's teammate on the Minnesota Twins.
He was among Time's 100 most influential people in 2020, 2023, and 2024, tied for the second most selections for a professional athlete.