Hype Surrounding Pat Mahomes Grows As Training Camp Opens

Former Texas Tech QB Pat Mahomes has opened his first NFL training camp as a starter while the hype around him continues to build.

This season, for the first time an “Air Raid” era Texas Tech quarterback will have an opportunity to start for an NFL team.  After being the backup in Kansas City as a rookie, Former Red Raider Pat Mahomes is being handed the keys to what could be a lethal offense under the guidance of highly-respected head coach Andy Reid.

While Mahomes is taking the right approach with a one day at a time attitude, the same can’t be said of those in the media.  Mahomes has been one of the most discussed players of the offseason as virtually all NFL observers anticipate seeing if his unreal athleticism and arm strength will set the NFL on fire.

The hype is not just coming from fans and the media but from Mahomes’ teammates.  Veteran QB and Chiefs’ backup Chad Henne said that Mahomes’ arm strength is as good as he’s ever seen.

Henne compared Mahomes’ arm to that of Baltimore Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco as well as Henne’s former Michigan teammate Ryan Mallett.  But both of those quarterbacks are three inches taller than Mahomes making the fact that Mahomes may have a stronger arm all the more impressive.  Plus, Mahomes ability to get outside the pocket and use his arm strength while on the move should separate him from the likes of Flacc0 and Mallett who are both statues in the pocket.

Another teammate, is already salivating over the thought of benefiting from Mahomes’ arm strength.  Speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill says that Mahomes is the first QB to ever have an arm strong enough to hit him in stride.

"“Pat (Mahomes) is the first guy that I have played with that has the arm strength, that’s not taking anything away from other quarterbacks I have played with, but Pat is something special,” Hill said."

Meanwhile, a former Chiefs’ great is also heaping lofty praise on Mahomes.  Former KC defensive tackle Tomba Hali, a 12-year NFL veteran and five-time Pro Bowl selection compared Pat Mahomes to NFL Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre.

Mahomes’ style of play has drawn comparisons to Favre because both are unconventional players that are considered “gun-slingers” because of their willingness to take risks in order to make spectacular plays.  It will be crucial for Mahomes to use discretion when deciding to attempt to make spectacular plays, especially as he adjusts to the pace of the NFL game.  But his head coach, Andy Reid seems willing to live with Mahomes high-risk/high-reward style as he says he does not want to stifle his young QB.

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In fact, Reid seems to be invigorated by the opportunity to coach Mahomes.  On a recent radio interview, Reid spoke about how much he is looking forward to working with Mahomes.

"“I love teaching. So he’s young and I have an opportunity to teach him. And he has the opportunity to play and learn and he does that well.” Reid said.  “”He’s wired the right way, he loves this thing…and that’s what makes it so exciting. He studies, he’s further ahead than you’d think he’d be and then every day he comes out and he competes.”"

Reid is considered one of the best quarterback coaches in the game and his resume includes coaching such QBs as Favre, Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Alex Smith.  Therefore, it is easy to see why the opportunity to coach one of the most physically gifted young quarterbacks in the game would help reinvigorate Reid who is entering his 20th year as an NFL head coach.

And on the first day of practice, Mahomes gave everyone a reason to be excited as he connected with wide receiver Sammy Watkins on a beautiful touchdowns pass.

https://twitter.com/YahooSportsNFL/status/1022636763389390849

Then, Mahomes followed that up with a strong showing Tuesday as he was especially accurate with his passes.

The addition of receiver Sammy Watkins to an offense that already includes all-pro caliber weapons like Hill, tight end Travis Kelse and running backs Kareem Hunt and Spence Ware (who is returning after missing all of 2017 with a knee injury) makes may believe Mahomes could be this season’s break out star.

But for now, Mahomes is trying to learn all that he can in order to quickly assume control of the team.  However, the Mahomes hype will continue to build until we all finally get to see what he can do in the NFL.