Fansided

Chiefs fans deserve Patrick Mahomes after decades of dread

By Matt Verderame

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to pass against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Patrick Mahomes is signed through the 2031 season, and no fanbase deserves him more than that of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Some franchises seem to have all the luck. Others have none.

Ask the Green Bay Packers, who went from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers. Ask the Detroit Lions, who have seen one Pro Bowl year from a quarterback since 1971.

For decades, the Kansas City Chiefs were in the latter conversation. They went from 1988 to Week 17 of the 2017 season without winning a game started by a quarterback they drafted.

In that stretch, Kansas City had good teams. Even a few which were Super Bowl contenders. Outside of Joe Montana, though, they were always thwarted by years of being outmanned under center.

Any Chiefs fans reading this is quietly nodding, thinking of Matt Cassel, Elvis Grbac, Steve DeBerg, Dave Krieg and Steve Bono. Even Trent Green and Alex Smith, two fine quarterbacks, were never going to threaten the Peyton Mannings and Tom Bradys of the world.

Enter Mahomes, who on Monday, signed a 10-year extension worth in excess of $400 million.

After taking over as starter in 2018, Mahomes has authored a legendary and historic run. He’s been named the NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP and earned the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in 50 years. He has already had a 5,000-yard, 50-touchdown season, something only done otherwise by Manning.

Last season, Mahomes came back from adversity. He was lying on the turf in Denver with his right kneecap on the side of his leg. Somehow, Mahomes didn’t miss a single practice and returned after a two-game absence. Despite throwing for 446 yards in his return, the Chiefs lost. They haven’t lost since.

Mahomes, 24, has proven himself a demigod. An eraser of all demons past. In the Divisional round, Kansas City fell behind the Houston Texans 24-0. In a matter of 10 minutes, the Chiefs led 28-24. They won 51-31, becoming the first team in NFL history to trail by 20 points before winning by at least 20 points.

In Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes was substandard by any measure through 50 minutes. He threw a pair of ugly interceptions. Then, trailing 20-10, Mahomes rallied with one spectacular throw after the next. Ultimately, Kansas City scored 21 unanswered points in six minutes to secure the championship.

If you aren’t a Chiefs fan, it’s unfathomable how impossible all that sounds. After all, this is a team which had a single playoff victory in the 24 seasons before Mahomes became the starter. They were constantly known for squandering golden opportunities. For choking in the big moments.

Mahomes has elevated a long-lost franchise to the top of football’s mountains. The Chiefs figure to stay there awhile, largely because Mahomes is staying in Kansas City.

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