Stop the Patrick Mahomes shoo-in talk for MVP

The time has come to pump the brakes on Patrick Mahomes.

It’s not that he isn’t an excellent quarterback, the present face of the NFL.

It’s simply that for the second straight season, it seems the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs QB will probably be on the skin wanting in when the NFL MVP trophy is handed out for the 2020 season.

Many imagine Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers will win the award, after posting a league-leading 48 touchdowns. In main Inexperienced Bay (13-3) to the No. 1 seed within the NFC, Rodgers led all quarterbacks in completion share, quarterback ranking, QBR, and threw the fewest interceptions (5).

It was an incredible common season for any quarterback, particularly a 37-year-old QB many thought was washed up and on his method out of city after the Packers moved up within the final draft to pick out Utah State quarterback Jordan Love.

Therefore, it ought to have been a chunk of cake for Mahomes to outplay Rodgers or some other QB menace within the league, actually.

And in the event you actually wish to look carefully on the numbers, Mahomes would possibly even be third when the ballots are counted. Simply, an MVP case may very well be made for Titans’ operating again Derrick Henry, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 17 TDs, each tops within the NFL.

Mahomes had 38 landing passes and 6 picks in main the Chiefs (14-2) to the No. 1 seed within the AFC. However in eight of his 15 begins, Mahomes has two TDs or much less. And he had a QB ranking underneath 100 six occasions, together with in his ultimate 4 begins, together with a season-low 79.5 towards the lowly Atlanta Falcons in his final sport of the season.

For positive, Mahomes went out with a whimper.

Few would ever imagine it might be doable. Based on many NFL analysts — most are merely in love with him — the award is mainly Mahomes’ to lose yearly. That’s how a lot expertise Mahomes has and performs with. Don’t overlook he has an offensive guru on his sideline in coach Andy Reid, too.

Guess what?

Mahomes has misplaced them.

And there’s no disgrace in not profitable the MVP award each season. It’s so troublesome to stockpile that award.

It’s simply that had you mentioned he wouldn’t have received one other MVP by now after his first in 2018, most would have referred to as you loopy, a hater for not bowing all the way down to his apparent expertise.

Two seasons in the past, the sport regarded really easy for him. All people was enjoying actual soccer and Mahomes was enjoying Madden.

Plus, Mahomes has all of the weapons. He has playmakers tripping over playmakers.

Different quarterbacks wanted tape and glue to maintain their offense collectively. Mahomes has a shiny new toy all over the place he seems.

And it comes as no shock that his teammates can’t glow sufficient about him. “I believe it will get to the purpose the place … I believe I heard any individual say they need to simply identify the award after him,” Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman advised the Ok.C. media a number of weeks in the past. “Identify the MVP award ‘The Mahomes Award.’

A stretch, to say the least.

In 2018, Mahomes set the NFL on fireplace in his second season, the primary as a starter. He threw for 50 touchdowns. America had caught Mahomes fever. The sky was the restrict. Many thought he’d throw 50 or extra each season.

However final season, Mahomes had simply 26 landing passes and wasn’t even within the MVP dialog. In actual fact, nobody else was apart from Lamar Jackson who turned the second unanimous winner of the coveted award in league historical past.

This season, many thought Mahomes would bounce again and reclaim his crown as the most effective participant within the league. Nope. Nada. In actual fact, there are such a lot of nice younger gamers on the horizon. Heck, Buffalo’s Josh Allen got here up massive this season and added his identify to the MVP race, too.

For positive, Mahomes will win extra MVPs in his profession. Onerous to examine he received’t if he stays wholesome. However the final two seasons ought to persuade the fan boys, er, analysts that it’s not as straightforward as they assume it’s — even for a generational expertise.

Hey, there’s all the time subsequent 12 months for Mahomes.

Perhaps.