Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently took to Twitter with his well-known clock emoji. This signal often implies he’s aware of the discussions about him and is ready to prove his critics wrong. The tweet followed a media interaction, where Mahomes confirmed he’s fully cleared to participate in training camp. This update comes seven months after his surgery to mend his torn ACL and LCL.
The two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl winner shared that his clearance was granted by Dr. Dan Cooper earlier in the week. Mahomes stated, “This is just another checkpoint on the schedule. You have to continue to work. It’s not like it’s over, and I’m just gonna be able to play a game tomorrow. You gotta continue to work and get better and better and go throughout practice and prove to the coaches, prove to the doctors, and everybody that I’m the same quarterback I was before, if not better.”
Mahomes feels stronger post-recovery, claiming he’s in better shape than ever before. He emphasized improving his quick movements and pocket navigation, areas he believes were lacking before his injury. “I felt like I wasn’t playing my best football at the end of last year before I got hurt,” Mahomes noted. He intends to enhance his performance in terms of navigating the pocket, running the offense efficiently, and facilitating playmaking opportunities for others. This injury has driven him to focus on these nuances as he targets a return to his previous form.
While Mahomes aims to perform as he did before, he plans to reduce his rushing attempts. The Chiefs signed former Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, the recent Super Bowl MVP, reducing the necessity for Mahomes to lead in rushing. Despite Mahomes’ remarkable skills, he’s never paired with a 1,000-yard rusher during his tenure. The team’s offseason strategy, including hiring Walker and reconnecting with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, intends to lessen the dependency on Mahomes’ personal magic.
The upcoming season is significant for both Mahomes and the Chiefs. It’s a critical moment for the franchise, especially after finishing last season with a 6-11 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
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