Big Change in Patrick Mahomes Emerges Before Chargers-Chiefs Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 2:20 PM ET

Patrick Mahomes enters his ninth NFL season carrying the weight of being one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in league history. At just 29, the Kansas City Chiefs star has already won three Super Bowls, two league MVP awards, and earned six Pro Bowl nods. He is also the youngest player ever to win both a Super Bowl MVP and a regular-season MVP, and one of only a handful of quarterbacks with multiple 5,000-yard passing seasons.

Despite his reputation as a big game player, last season ended in disappointment as Kansas City fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, a loss that still stings. Now Mahomes is tasked with leading the Chiefs back to the mountaintop, beginning with a season-opening matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo.

Chiefs Coach Acknowledges Big Change in Patrick Mahomes

Ahead of Friday’s game, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who worked with Mahomes during his rookie year in 2017 before leaving for the Chicago Bears and later rejoining Kansas City in 2022, pointed to the quarterback’s unrelenting motivation as the defining trait that separates him from others. Asked about what has changed most since he has known the three-time Super Bowl MVP, Nagy said:

“He’s motivated in the right way... Every year we probably say the same thing with Pat... but he creates a known edge for him. He wants to be great. He wants to be the best and he wants to be coached hard.” ((h/t Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports).

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy on what has changed most with Patrick Mahomes since he's known him: "Probably his consistent drive to be great. When you do the things he's done early in his career, when he comes back the next year and wants more. . . He truly leads by example in every way…
— Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) September 1, 2025

Indeed, Mahomes continues to raise his own standard even after collecting career-defining accolades. His resume already includes countless highlight-reel moments that showcase his improvisational skill set and ability to lead the team.

Chiefs Enter 2025 NFL Season with Much to Prove

The Chiefs open the new season facing heightened expectations and early adversity. Kansas City has retooled its offense with upgrades to the line and added depth at receiver, but will be without wideout Rashee Rice for the first six games. Meanwhile, the Chargers arrive in Brazil with one of the AFC’s strongest defenses, presenting Mahomes with a stern opening test.

Preseason signs suggest Kansas City is poised to bounce back after last year’s Super Bowl disappointment, with Mahomes once again at the center of their championship aspirations. With Mahomes' relentless pursuit of greatness reaffirmed by Nagy, the Chiefs remain among the favorites to contend for another Lombardi Trophy.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: