For the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2023 season marked a historic achievement as they clinched their second consecutive Super Bowl championship. Amidst the celebrations, however, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn't shy away from acknowledging an underlying issue. "The end result [last season] was awesome, but I think a lot of us still have a weird feeling in our mouth," Mahomes admitted. The star quarterback pointed out the team's offensive inconsistency that plagued much of the season and emphasized the need for a better preparation this year.
Training Camp Begins
The Chiefs have already set their sights on the upcoming season, kicking off their training camp at Missouri Western State University. While quarterbacks and rookies have started on Wednesday, the full team will join on Sunday. For Mahomes and his squad, it's a crucial time to iron out the kinks and build on last year's success. "We’re back at St. Joe. It’s time to get better. Every season starts differently. You’ve got to come in with that same mentality you had the year before, even with a higher intensity," Mahomes stated.
New Additions to the Roster
Among the fresh faces in the training camp are two speedy wide receivers, Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. Worthy, in particular, has already made headlines with his blazing speed, running a 4.21-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine—a new event record. Despite being sidelined with a sore hamstring for most of the offseason practice sessions, Worthy is expected to hit the ground running. "There’s no easing [him in]. He’s going to have to be ready to go," Mahomes emphasized. "We got a lot of competition on this offense."
Mahomes also noted the significant boost that comes from these new additions. "We added a lot of speed. What’s better than going against our defense? It’s the best defense in the NFL, and we get to go against them every single day and really show where we're at and how we can get better."
Family Life and Future Plans
Off the field, Mahomes is preparing for another significant change in his life. He and his wife, Brittany, are expecting their third child. Reflecting on this new chapter, Mahomes shared, "It’s awesome. I always wanted to have kids young. I got to grow up in the locker room...and it made such an impact in my life." Despite his overwhelming professional commitments, Mahomes is dedicated to making the most of his family time, even during the rigors of the football season. "I spend so much time in the building at football for these seven, eight months and whenever I’m with my family, I want to enjoy those moments."
Expressing gratitude for this aspect of his life, Mahomes revealed a personal decision: "I’m done. I’ll say that. I said three and I’m done."
As the Chiefs gear up for another promising season, they carry the lessons, experiences, and motivations from the previous year. Undoubtedly, the mix of veteran insights and fresh talent will make this training camp a pivotal time for the team. And with Mahomes at the helm, balancing his roles as a leader and a father, the Chiefs are poised to aim high once again.