Patrick Mahomes has been an almost unstoppable force since joining the NFL, having the most passing yards, passing touchdowns and highest quarterback rating in NFL history during a player’s first 46 games. Mahomes has won 25 of his last 26 games – including Super Bowl LIV – establishing himself as the best quarterback in football along the way.
Before Mahomes and Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl LIV last year, Robert Saleh was tasked with trying to contain the Pro Bowl quarterback. Saleh, then the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers and the new coach of the New York Jets, tells the defense not to let his guard down against Mahomes.
“You have to be relentless,” Saleh said on Pro Football Talk Live Thursday. “You have to be relentless. Just when you think you can have him, he can take two steps back and then throw his back foot. I mean, he has a ridiculous arm talent. He has tremendous precision. He has tremendous mobility.
“But any time you are a pass-rusher, understand that he can make your old man run between plays where your feet seem to hurt. Make no mistake. He has tremendous mobility, his arm strength is ridiculous. You have to be relentless all the time. And to understand that there can be one move and a second move that happens just because of your ability to extend the moves and make shots that other people can’t. “
Mahomes had a funny response to Saleh’s comments on social media, showing his genuine nature.
The 49ers defense found out the hard way in Super Bowl LIV, where Mahomes launched two touchdown passes in the final 6:13 am to give Kansas City an exciting 31-20 victory over San Francisco. The Chiefs lost 10 points in the fourth period before scoring 21 points unanswered to win their first Super Bowl in 50 years.
Mahomes made 9 of 14 for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the final 8:53 to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. Before Mahomes ‘heroism, he launched two interceptions, as the 49ers defense contained the Chiefs’ powerful attack at 10 points.
To beat Mahomes, the foot cannot get off the accelerator pedal – and according to Saleh – defenses also need to be aware of their tricks.