Here’s proof Patrick Mahomes is not the best at everything

Patrick Mahomes is great at a lot of things, but not everything.

Imagine Patrick Mahomes being human.

It’s pretty unfathomable given everything we’ve seen him do in his short career — from an MVP to a Super Bowl to trick throws — but Mahomes isn’t great at everything. Surprisingly, the one area of his game he isn’t the best in the league is downfield throws.

His numbers naturally were going to fall last year after he threw 50 touchdowns in 2018, and an injury that cost him two games didn’t help Patrick Mahomes. But there’s no denying his talent level, and his supporting cast has been upgraded to put him in line for perhaps his best year in 2020.

By measures tangible and intangible, Mahomes is easily regarded the best and most talented quarterback in the NFL. Throwing darts from the pocket, firing strikes on the move to all levels of the field, making throws with or without looking directly at his target and throwing right or left-handed, there’s seemingly nothing outside of Mahomes’ abilities.

Patrick Mahomes is not the best downfield passer in the NFL

As it turns out, by at least one measure according to one outlet last year, we have evidence that Mahomes is not actually the best at everything.

On throws of 20-plus yards downfield in 2019, Mahomes’ completion rate was 10 percent worse than Jimmy Garoppolo’s. It might not be a coincidence that the top two in that category played in the Super Bowl. Volume has to be considered in the equation though.

Mahomes went 32-for 63 on attempts of 20 or more yards, and Garoppplo went 19-for-31. Mahomes also played two less regular season games, and he also missed a significant chunk of the game he injured his knee in.

Adjusting to passers with 45 or more 20-plus yard throws last year, Mahomes was No. 1.

Mahomes’ regression in 2019, however marginal it was, can be chalked up to an early ankle issue he played through followed by the knee injury that cost him games. And however marginal or narrow the evidence is, he may not actually be the best at absolutely everything a quarterback has to do.