Mahomes Threw 0 TDs and 1 Interception In First Game With Chiefs

Published on September 10th, 2024 10:41 am EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


It was December 27th, 2017, and Patrick Mahomes was getting his first start with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs had raised eyebrows when they traded up in the 2017 NFL Draft to take Mahomes with the 10th overall pick. The Chiefs were certain that they had locked up their quarterback of the future.

Alex Smith was the starter in Kansas City. The Chiefs were in the midst of a strong season, as they would finish 10-6 and secure the top spot in the AFC West.

Mahomes was going to have to sit back and wait for a while, as Smith and the Chiefs were doing just fine.

On December 27th, 2017, Mahomes was picked to make his first NFL start against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs had nothing to play for, as they had already locked up the top spot in their division, and couldn't move up any further. Mahomes was going to get the start, and Smith was going to sit.

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Regardless of how good a NFL quarterback ends up becoming, their first game as a rookie usually results in some mistakes.

Patrick Mahomes' debut game was no different - he showed flashes of brilliance throughout the game, though he ended up with a relatively unimpressive stat line:

22-35
284 yards
0 TDs
1 Interception
2 Sacks
7 rushes for 10 yards

Albert Wilson was the beneficiary of most of Mahomes' throws on that day, as he caught 10 passes for 147 yards.

Mahomes showed flashes, though there was nothing in his performance that made people certain that he was the quarterback of the future for the Chiefs.

In fact, fantasy football players can tell you that Mahomes wasn't drafted very high prior to the 2018 season. Nobody really knew just how big of a breakout season he would have that year, after the Chiefs elected to trade away Alex Smith.

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The Chiefs faith in Mahomes would obviously pay off - in fact, Mahomes put up an unholy 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns in the 2018 regular season, immediately cementing himself as one of the game's top young talents.

The scouts for the Chiefs were right all along - Mahomes was a beast, and the Chiefs were entirely correct to go all-in on him.