Chiefs Star QB Patrick Mahomes Reveals How Matthew Stafford Inspired His Game
During Super Bowl media day on Tuesday, Patrick Mahomes, the former NFL MVP quarterback, was questioned about the quarterbacks he admired as a child.
Among the names mentioned by Mahomes was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who the Kansas City star credited with inspiring his no-look and off-platform passing repertoire.
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“First off, he’s a Texas guy, so I mean, always love the Texas quarterbacks are out there having success,” Mahomes told Gary Klein of the L.A. Times. “Everybody talks about the sidearm throws and the no-look passes — I mean that’s from watching guys like Matthew Stafford play that I’ve been able to do it.
Stafford's use of sidearm throws and no-look passes goes beyond mere flair; he employs them strategically to create openings for receivers and disrupt defenders.
One notable instance was during the Super Bowl two years ago, where he executed a clutch no-look pass to find Cooper Kupp over the middle during the Rams' decisive drive against the Bengals. This pivotal moment not only underscored Stafford's skill but also showcased his ability to deliver under pressure on the grandest stage of his career.
“I kind of got some hype coming into the league, but I mean you watch the film, he’s the guy that kind of started that stuff off, him and Brett Favre," Mahomes said. "And so it really is cool to be able to kind of be along those guys now, and be able to have my own impact on the game. I mean, those are the guys that I watched, that influenced me to be the quarterback that I am."
Over the past couple of seasons, it has been Mahomes that has gotten most of the praise for the out of the ordinary throws he's been able to make.
And while he still surely deserves credit for having the skills to make those plays, perhaps it is time Stafford gets his due credit for helping to inspire the NFL's most exciting passer.
