New-Look Chiefs Offense Further Exudes Mentality Of Patrick Mahomes

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Patrick Mahomes has already achieved plenty of notorious accolades throughout his first four seasons as starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. Namely, his Super Bowl LIV win and Super Bowl LIV MVP stand out. He has also earned four Pro-Bowl nods and has one All-Pro season under his belt. Moreover, Mahomes won the 2018 AP MVP Award and the 2018 AP Offensive Player of the Year Award for his 50 touchdown passes and much more that season. Though wins are always debated on if they are a “quarterback stat” or not, the Kansas City passer is 58-16 in 74 career games so far, including playoffs.

However, there was a bump in the road that he and the Chiefs offense hit early last season. The team was turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Mahomes was forcing throws and pressing at inopportune moments. Overall, it was the offense’s fault as to why Kansas City missed out on a third straight Super Bowl appearance last year. The blown lead in the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals left many people scratching their heads.

Fast forward to 2022, and the Chiefs offense suddenly looks completely different around Mahomes. Tyreek Hill is no longer donning red and gold, instead now clad in aqua and orange of the Miami Dolphins. The top of the wide receiver depth chart is filled with new additions like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie Skyy Moore. Elsewhere, there are some intriguing roster battles to be had involving other additions like Ronald Jones or Darian Kinnard.

For the most part, a lot of these moves are filled with immense potential. This potential is something different than what the Chiefs have felt with Mahomes in recent years, however. Instead of focusing completely on the long-term, Kansas City is focused on being air-tight right now. With the help of these new additions, the Chiefs offense will further exude the distinct mentality of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes’ Mentality

What exactly is this mentality of Mahomes? The Kansas City passer is a player who could be described as unique or exuberant. On the other hand, there are some moments where Mahomes simply proves to be wiser and more controlled than other younger quarterbacks. He continues to lead the Chiefs by example, both on and off the field. Overall, Mahomes is a player who is unwavering and never satisfied.

That may sound cliche, especially for the quarterback position. But in today’s pass happy NFL, you can visibly see certain passers become complacent or satisfied with their accomplishments. Mahomes continues to want to have all the pressure on him. We heard as much after the recent AFC Championship Game loss to Cincinnati. At the same time, the chip on his shoulder continues to grow even larger. Some believe that this item could propel him to his most dominant season since 2018 in the upcoming year. Time will indeed tell on that.

One thing we do know, is that this Kansas City offense is now built with players who display that same mentality of never being satisfied. Plenty of the new additions to the Chiefs offense either have something major to prove this season, or they plainly have a major chip on their shoulder from past experiences. That is something that was not always prevalent with other offensive pieces in recent years for Kansas City. In turn, it could make the Chiefs much stronger in 2022, because of that. Here are just a few examples from others in the supporting cast, most of which are new additions.

The Wide Receivers

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Starting off with Smith-Schuster, the former Pittsburgh Steeler is looking to prove himself in more ways than one in 2022. After injury-riddled seasons and seasons with lower amounts of production, the USC product is hoping to get back to being a highly productive player in Kansas City. He is hoping to further solidify himself as a player who can be a reliable top two wide receiver on a team’s depth chart. Finally, Smith-Schuster can attempt to put questions surrounding his possible locker room presence and social media influence to bed.

What better place to do that than in Kansas City? Andy Reid has helped teach many characters during crucial campaigns throughout his illustrious coaching career. If Smith-Schuster can live up to his plausible ceiling, he could be a bargain for the Chiefs on a one-year deal. As a result, the wide receiver could cash in mightily next offseason.

The mentality of the other newcomer at wide receiver is quite fascinating. Valdes-Scantling has built a sturdy amount of self-confidence in himself over the span of his football career. From once not being good enough to make his high school football team, to changing schools in college football, MVS worked his way to the NFL from the ground up.

After signing with Kansas City, he talked about not being “good enough” to make the high school team. “I had to take accountability- stop pointing my finger at everybody else. Once I did that and used that as self-motivation, I took that and ran with it,” Valdes-Scantling said via Zoom. He later transferred from NC State to South Florida in his college days. After waiting his turn countless times, Valdes-Scantling broke out during his senior season at USF, posting 879 receiving yards and six touchdown catches.

He mentioned how much signing a second contract in the NFL meant to him as well. Not only does MVS possess a massive chip on his shoulder, but he also takes nothing for granted. What does that mean for him in a prime opportunity with the Chiefs and Mahomes?

The Running Back Room

The Chiefs running back room is filled with two tantalizing veterans. While most of the headlines in this room will be garnered by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, it is the likes of Ronald Jones and Jerick McKinnon that give the Chiefs offense some grit. Each player has a particular sense of toughness that they could provide to Kansas City’s offense.

For Jones, the former highly drafted running back is looking to prove that he can be trusted as a top part of an NFL running back committee. Questions like fumbling, ball security and vision have troubled him on separate occasions. Part of that led to Jones settling for an incentivized one-year deal with the Chiefs. Likely as the number two running back, he will have to grind out his own opportunities. With his tough-nosed, slashing running style, Jones could provide a newfound energy to the Chiefs running back room. If he comes through, he could cash in similarly to how Smith-Schuster might next offseason.

The mentality of McKinnon is a bit of different blend. But overall, he is battle-tested. The Georgia Southern product has gone from backup to starter, to injured star, and relegated to third string option. He gave the Chiefs a noticeable boost and jolt last postseason. While his opportunities may be slim, McKinnon’s ups and downs have helped him mold into a quick strike running back. The Chiefs know they can lean on that mentality, if need be.

The Blocking Unit

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As we highlighted earlier this offseason, one of the Chiefs’ new draft picks, Kinnard, has been a stern protector throughout his life. Some of that has been led by a path he grew into. It also resonated from being an example that he wanted to be for his own family. Along with that channeling, Kinnard became a feisty and nasty offensive tackle for the Kentucky Wildcats.

With Kinnard only left to fine-tune the technical parts of his blocking, the Chiefs are hoping to insert this demanding demeanor upfront at some point. Kinnard will look to battle for the starting right tackle job out of the gate. Whether that is won by him or Andrew Wylie, or even Lucas Niang, the Chiefs could benefit immensely by the stiff battle that will be had there involving Kinnard. Mahomes should enjoy the sound of that tremendously.

Even last year’s day three offensive line pick during the 2021 NFL Draft immediately made the Chiefs better. Kansas City quickly rebuilt the blocking unit with an exciting cast of characters. Yet, the way in which Trey Smith won the right guard job stood out the most. He dropped in the draft due to medical questions. A former top recruit, he used that slip in the selection process as motivation. That led to a demolishment and utter punishing of many opposing defensive linemen last season. Can Smith continue to ride that aggression as he hopes to rise up the ranks of NFL offensive linemen?

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.