Mahomes’ Out of Context Comment?

Aug 17, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Maholmes (15) walks on the field following his game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

“I’ll see it when I believe it.”

That’s what Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes said to a heckler Sunday at the American Celebrity Golf Championship in Lake Tahoe, California.

The comment was in a response to an LA Chargers fan who hollered out to the former Texas Tech Red Raider to “watch out for Justin Herbert next year.” However, Mahomes is now saying that his comment was slightly taken out of context.

In a phone interview with Jori Epstein of USA Today Sports on Tuesday, he said “Yeah, I think it got taken out of context. I was talking some trash to all those Raiders and Broncos and Chargers fans out there. I have a ton of respect for him (Herbert) as a guy and as a player.”

Herbert Showing Promise

While Mahomes had the better season of the two record-wise, Herbert put in some jaw-dropping numbers for a rookie signal-caller for the Bolts in 2020. As a starter in 15 games last year, the former Oregon Duck Herbert finished with a completion percentage of over 66, 4,336 yards, and a rookie quarterback record of 31 passing touchdowns compared to just 10 interceptions. Those statistics were impressive enough for him to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

And Mahomes had the first-hand opportunity to see what Herbert could provide to the Chargers’ offense when the teams first met for the 2020 campaign in Week 2 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on Sept. 20. While the Chiefs did win the game thanks to Harrison Butker in overtime, both quarterbacks put up solid stat lines. Mahomes completed 27 of 47 passes on the day for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Herbert ended 22 of 33 with 311 yards, 1 passing touchdown, 1 interception, and 1 rushing touchdown that came on the Bolts’ first drive.

The Chargers would even the season series with a win in Week 17, but Mahomes was inactive due to rest in advance of the playoffs, as Kansas City had obtained the number one seed in the AFC.

Motivation

While the comment may serve as motivation for Herbert to become a top-tier quarterback in his sophomore season in 2021, Mahomes has high praise for his fellow AFC West counterpart.

“For him to come out in Year 1 and play at that level is a special thing,” he said. “Not a lot of guys can do it. And I know I’ll have a lot of tough games against him in the future. So it was kind of a joking matter that I think blew up on Twitter like most things tend to do.”

While a bonus game has been added to the schedule for both teams in the 2021 season, they will still see each other twice. The first matchup will be Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City for Week 3 on September 26, and the second game will be a Thursday night primetime affair at SoFi Stadium on December 16.

Patrick Mahomes has become a household name in regards to NFL quarterbacks, and now he faces some stiff competition as Justin Herbert looks to build on an impressive and record-breaking rookie season. A lot of fireworks could be expected from the AFC West division in 2021.