Patrick Mahomes has been forced to adapt to playing under pressure from opposing pass rushers, a situation he didn’t have to face consistently in his earlier career. The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled to protect him, with 35 sacks in 13 games this season, already surpassing his previous high of 28.
Mahomes has been blitzed on just 24.4% of his dropbacks, the fifth-lowest percentage in the league, but still faces challenges against top pass rushers like Myles Garrett, who is tied for second in the league with 11 sacks. To counter this, Mahomes plans to throw “changeups” and different pitches to keep Garrett guessing.
Mahomes acknowledges he deserves some blame for his high sack total, citing instances where he held onto the ball too long. He has turned to a quick passing game, completing 17 of 19 throws within 2.5 seconds, as an adaptation to new circumstances. Coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy credit Mahomes’ growth and maturity as key factors in his ability to adapt.
The Chiefs are closely tied with last season’s performance, but this time they face a similar issue: protecting their quarterback under pressure. If the Chiefs want to get a third straight championship, it could depend on Mahomes’ continued ability to handle pressure. He believes the team is close, and with further success on game days, they can enter the playoffs with momentum.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42949685/kansas-city-chiefs-patrick-mahomes-sacks-pressure-vs-browns