Jean Carniel/Reuters via Imagn Images

Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes Given Unexpected Role by NFL Nation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 11:39 AM ET

Patrick Mahomes has had an unbelievably successful nine-year NFL career thus far. He has been to six Pro Bowls, is a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection and has won two AP NFL MVP awards and three Super Bowls. Mahomes has averaged an all-time record 287 passing yards per game with 252 touchdowns and just 75 interceptions.

He was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Chiefs after spending three years with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. That included his junior year, during which he led all FBS players with 5,052 passing yards.

Mahomes has done a lot of things on the field in his NFL career, including catching two passes, but his newest role may surprise some people.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass against the Baltimore Ravens.Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

On Monday, ESPN's NFL Nation, a collection of reporters for all 32 teams in the league, released a piece titled, "Finding the Travis Hunter, two-way threat for every NFL team."

In this piece, ESPN's Chiefs writer Nate Taylor named Mahomes as the player for the Chiefs who could play on both offense and defense.

"We already know Mahomes is one of the most-talented quarterbacks, but he was also a crafty safety at Whitehouse High School in Texas during his sophomore season," Taylor wrote. "He led the Wildcats with ... five interceptions, earning all-district honors. Mahomes has the athletic ability and ball skills to be an effective safety. The lone issue is that he never loved tackling in high school — so that would be his clear weakness on the scouting report."

While Taylor said Mahomes was never a big fan of tackling, he has made three total tackles in his NFL career.

With the success that Hunter had in college with the Colorado Buffaloes on both sides of the ball, leading to being selected second overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, it is unlikely there will be another player like him anytime soon.

However, if anyone were to take the title right now, Mahomes, who is one of the most gifted quarterbacks in league history, would be a favorite.

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

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