In a monumental moment for the Kansas City Chiefs, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes solidified his place in franchise history during Friday’s dominant victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. With a six-yard strike to wide receiver Justin Watson in the second quarter, Mahomes surpassed the legendary Len Dawson to become the Chiefs’ all-time leader in touchdown passes.
A Legacy in the Making
Since being drafted 10th overall by Kansas City in 2017, Patrick Mahomes has taken the NFL by storm with his electrifying play and unparalleled arm talent. In just his sixth season as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, Mahomes has already rewritten the franchise’s record books and established himself as one of the most prolific passers in league history.
Entering Friday’s matchup with the Raiders, Mahomes sat tied with Chiefs legend Len Dawson atop the franchise’s all-time touchdown list with 237 scoring strikes. It took the 27-year-old phenom just two quarters to claim the record for himself, connecting with Watson to give Kansas City a 10-3 lead heading into halftime.
“It’s a tremendous honor to break a record held by someone like Len Dawson, who means so much to this franchise and this city,” Mahomes said after the game. “I’m just grateful to be a part of such a special organization and to have the opportunity to play with so many incredible teammates.”
Patrick Mahomes on breaking the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown record
Chasing Greatness
While surpassing Dawson’s long-standing touchdown mark is an incredible feat in itself, it’s just the latest in a string of remarkable accomplishments for Mahomes. Since taking over as Kansas City’s starting quarterback in 2018, the Texas Tech product has:
- Won NFL MVP (2018)
- Led the Chiefs to two Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl LIV
- Earned four Pro Bowl selections
- Thrown for over 20,000 yards and 200 touchdowns
At just 27 years old, Mahomes has already built a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. With his best years likely still ahead of him, there’s no telling how many more records he’ll break or how high he’ll climb on the list of all-time great quarterbacks.
The Future is Bright in Kansas City
As impressive as Mahomes’ individual accomplishments are, his success has also translated to unprecedented team success for the Chiefs. Since he became the starter in 2018, Kansas City has:
- Won five consecutive AFC West titles
- Advanced to at least the AFC Championship Game in each of the past four seasons
- Posted a 64-18 regular season record, the best mark in the NFL over that span
With Mahomes at the helm and surrounded by a talented supporting cast, the Chiefs have firmly established themselves as perennial Super Bowl contenders. As long as their franchise quarterback continues to perform at an elite level, there’s no reason to believe Kansas City’s dynastic run will end anytime soon.
“Having a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes gives you a chance to win every single game,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “He’s a special player and an even better person. We’re lucky to have him leading our team for the foreseeable future.”
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid on Patrick Mahomes
Chasing Immortality
With each passing season, Patrick Mahomes continues to strengthen his case as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. At 27 years old, he’s already accomplished more than most players could ever dream of, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
As Mahomes adds more accolades and records to his already impressive resume, the conversation will inevitably shift from where he ranks among the best quarterbacks of his era to where he stands among the all-time greats. Names like Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning will be thrown around as measuring sticks for Mahomes’ greatness, and it’s not hard to envision him one day surpassing them all.
For now, though, Mahomes remains focused on the present and leading the Chiefs to another Super Bowl championship. With a record-breaking performance against the Raiders and Kansas City sitting atop the AFC standings, he’s well on his way to doing just that.
“I try not to think too much about legacy or any of that stuff,” Mahomes said. “I just want to go out there, have fun, and win football games. If we take care of business and keep getting better, all that other stuff will take care of itself.”
Patrick Mahomes
As the Chiefs continue their march toward another Super Bowl appearance and Patrick Mahomes cements his place among the game’s all-time greats, one thing remains certain: the future of the NFL is in good hands with this generational talent leading the charge.
