How many NFL teams could Patrick Mahomes carry to a Super Bowl?
By John Buhler
The Underdogs
These teams aren’t quite good enough to get to Super Bowl LV on their own for various reasons. They may have a bad defense, suffer from poor quarterback play or are plagued by perpetual organizational dysfunction. However, Mahomes has the power to be these teams’ late 1980s version of John Elway, carrying facsimiles of mediocre Denver Broncos teams to the title bout.
Chicago Bears
Let’s be real. The Bears could have had Mahomes, but Ryan Pace had an odd fascination with the third-best ACC quarterback in 2016. With a defense the late Buddy Ryan would be proud of, the Mahomes Bears would be as celebrated than the ’85 team and the 2016 Chicago Cubs. They’ll get to Tampa, but may not have enough weapons to win fire the cannons as Super Bowl champions.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns will be difficult for Mahomes to overcome, but he’ll do enough to carry the team to the Super Bowl for the first time. It’ll be more glorious than when Columbus took the Browns to the Super Bowl in Zombieland.
Denver Broncos
If Elway did it in the late 1980s, who says Mahomes can’t do it now? Denver may like its young quarterback Drew Lock, but Mahomes would buck that Bronco right on back to the bench. The Broncos have a strong defense under Vic Fangio, but they may not have enough horses to get them Lombardi Trophy No. 4 with Mahomes back in the saddle again.
Indianapolis Colts
One could argue the Colts are more contenders than underdogs. Their roster from players No. 2 to 53 is as good as anyone’s. Adding Mahomes to the mix makes them as good as they were during Peyton Manning’s prime. However, it is a big climb from maybe playing on Wild Card Weekend to winning the Super Bowl. Let’s start with winning the AFC South first. It’s been a while.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville was on the doorstep of the Super Bowl only a few years ago. The Jaguars have the defensive players to put it all together for another near-championship run. Upgrading at quarterback might give the Jaguars their first AFC Championship victory to date. They could win big with Mahomes under center, but the Super Bowl will be played in Tampa and not London.
Las Vegas Raiders
Instead of giving up four touchdowns per quarter to him, Mahomes will now rock Silver and Black. Kansas City would fall to pieces if it happens, but that’s how the quarterback redistribution draft works. It’s blasphemous for Chiefs Kingdom to even think about, but Mahomes takes the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Jon Gruden will find a way to beat this team.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are like the Colts in that quarterback play held them back in 2019. On paper, this team can get to a Super Bowl with Mahomes. However, the Chargers haven’t proven they can win their division consistently. We love their pass rush and offensive weapons, but Mahomes will fall victim to the same snakebitten culture that consumed Philip Rivers and Dan Fouts before him.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Can you imagine what kind of numbers Mahomes would put up in Bruce Arians’ offense? He will throw for more than 30 touchdowns and way under 30 interceptions. You don’t need 20/20 vision to see how great he can make the 2020 Buccaneers. However, this team hasn’t won a playoff game since Mahomes could shave. Plus, no team wins the Super Bowl in its own stadium anyway.