Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Uses Scrambling As A New Skill To Gain Edge

Patrick Mahomes admitted that he envies quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jalen Hurts’ ability to run the football.

“I think everybody does,” Mahomes stated.

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Uses Scrambling As The New Skill To Gain Edge

Mahomes’ running ability is something other players admire as well. It’s not so much his speed as it is his success rate, particularly on third-down scrambles.

Despite being regarded the finest quarterback in the NFL and maybe one of the best ever, Mahomes’ running is below what people anticipate from him.

What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in spatial talents. Patrick Mahomes’ scrambling has become something of an art form for him, especially this season as he moves around in the last third of the field. If he is in close proximity to the end zone, you can almost always bet he will scramble in order to score.

Throughout his career, Mahomes has converted a higher percentage (58.8) of third-and-long attempts than Jackson, Allen, or Hurts. In this case, long is defined as five yards or more from the first down.

“I just think it’s being a competitor,” Mahomes explained. “I’m just trying to move the chains and obviously I want to throw for it and want to make the throws, but when the opportunity arises, just if I’m going to take it, make sure I go get the first down.”

On the last drive of Sunday night’s triumph over the New York Jets, Mahomes completed two lengthy third-down scrambles. On third-and-23, Mahomes gained 25 yards and nine yards on third-and-8. The plays helped allow the Chiefs to eat up the game’s final 7½ minutes and win the game 23-20.

Chiefs’ coach Andy Reid has a different analysis of this scrambling skill. Here’s what he said on Saturday morning during a recent press conference: “He has a good feel of the coverage and who’s dropping out there and the time element that’s involved with that. And he’s smart when he does it. In certain situations, he knows he can do that. Other times it’s not going to be available, but he’s got a good feel for it.”

“I’m faster than people think,” he asserted. “I don’t run pretty so people think I’m slow, but I move a little bit better than people think.”

Mahomes will never be able to support himself by running the ball. His true talent is passing, but his backup strategy is working.

“I’ve just got to be able to throw the football,” Mahomes said. “Then whenever the opportunity comes, just get enough yards [running] to keep the chains moving.”

 

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

Former NFL Player Anthony Chickillo Tased By Police After An Alleged Mental Breakdown