The summer sun beat down on Kansas City, a city that had become synonymous with winning, with hope, and with one name above all: Patrick Mahomes. On this particular July morning, the Chiefs’ quarterback was doing what he often did in the offseason—balancing football, family, and the ever-present demands of fame. But today was different. Today, he sat across from Kay Adams for a special episode of “Up & Adams,” ready to talk about the season ahead, the lessons he’d learned, and what it meant to be a leader in a league that never stops evolving.
The cameras rolled as Kay welcomed him. “Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City’s own. You’ve been with State Farm for years now, since before your kids, before your marriage. Does it feel like family at this point?”
Patrick grinned, recalling his first commercial. “I was nervous back then. Aaron Rodgers was the pro, I just tried to say my lines right. Now, I’m comfortable being myself. State Farm isn’t just a company I endorse; it’s part of my world. My agent Debbie, she’s like family. Her kids come to my charity events. It’s real.”
The conversation turned lighthearted as Kay asked about his children’s reaction to seeing their dad on TV. Mahomes laughed. “My daughter calls Jake from State Farm ‘my friend.’ Jake’s everywhere now—he’s got fans, an umbrella, the whole deal. But he’s a good dude, and we’ve built a real friendship.”
But the mood shifted quickly. “Let’s talk football,” Kay said. “I keep hearing ‘revenge tour,’ ‘scorched earth.’ What’s your mentality this season?”
Mahomes’ eyes narrowed with focus. “Honestly, I’m just ready to play. After losing, you get that taste in your mouth—you want to go out and avenge it. But I’ve learned to let my play do the talking. I’m not here for the noise. I want to show who we are as the Kansas City Chiefs. All the talk, all the rankings, that’s just noise. I want to play football.”
Kay pressed further, “What’s the key to success for the Chiefs this year?”
“It’s having fun,” Mahomes replied without hesitation. “Last year, there was pressure. Guys wanted to win so badly, maybe we lost some of the joy. This year, it’s about enjoying it again. We have the talent, the coaches, the work ethic. If we go out and play our game, the wins will come.”
The Chiefs’ roster was a hot topic. “You won 15 games last year with a banged-up team. Now, you’ve got a full receiver room. What excites you most?”
Mahomes’ face lit up. “It’s the depth. Rashee Rice is back, Xavier Worthy came on strong, Hollywood Brown is healthy. Add Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, all these guys. We could be eight, nine deep at receiver. It’s going to be hard to make cuts. That’s what you want—competition. It makes us better.”
Kay nodded. “It might be your deepest receiver room ever. Would you agree?”
He paused, thoughtful. “It’s hard to compare to having Tyreek and Travis in their primes, but this is the deepest group overall. So many guys can contribute. It’s not about one person—it’s the whole offense. That’s what makes us dangerous.”
Then came the big question: legacy. “Tom Brady said if he had to pick someone to pass what he did, it would be you. You’re entering year nine. How much do you think about your legacy now?”
Mahomes leaned back, considering. “It’s always in the back of your mind, even from the start. But you have to take it day by day. I’m blessed to be in Kansas City, surrounded by great players and coaches. Having Tom say that motivates me. I’ve talked to him a lot this offseason. He didn’t have to give me advice, but he did. He always says: be yourself. Guys can spot when you’re not authentic. That’s what I try to do—give everything I have, be true to myself, and let the results speak.”
Kay smiled, “Can you share any of Tom’s advice?”
Mahomes grinned. “Some things I’ll keep to myself. But he always stresses authenticity and hard work. That’s why guys respected him. That’s what I want to be known for.”
The schedule was daunting, with an early Super Bowl rematch against the Eagles. “What were your thoughts when you saw that?”
Mahomes shrugged. “You win a lot, you play a lot of great teams. It’s a challenge, but that’s what we want. Play the best, prove ourselves.”
The respect between Mahomes and his rivals was apparent. Kay brought up Max Crosby, who called Mahomes the greatest quarterback. “What’s your dynamic with him?”
Mahomes chuckled. “Max is the best pass rusher I’ve faced. No offense to anyone else, but he’s got the effort, the skill, the moves. We compete hard, we talk trash, but there’s real respect. Those are the guys you want to play against—and with.”
The conversation turned to the NFL Top 100 list, where Mahomes has been a fixture. “How do you feel about the list this year?”
He shrugged. “It’s a year-by-year thing. There are a lot of great players. They can rank me wherever—I just want to win Super Bowls. That’s all I care about.”
Kay tried to catch him off guard with a basketball question, but Mahomes handled it with ease, showing his deep love for sports, his Duke fandom, and his excitement for the Mavericks’ future.
As the interview wound down, Kay asked about team bonding and the upcoming release of “Happy Gilmore 2,” starring Travis Kelce. Mahomes laughed, “I want to rent out a theater for the team. Make it a bonding experience. We’ll see if Travis can act as well as he can catch.”
The cameras faded, but Mahomes’ message lingered. In a league obsessed with narratives, legacy, and rankings, he remained grounded, focused on the things that mattered: family, authenticity, competition, and the joy of the game.
As training camp approached, the Chiefs’ facility buzzed with energy. Young receivers ran routes, veterans coached up the rookies, and Mahomes, ever the leader, set the tone. He was the first in, the last out, driven not by outside noise but by an inner fire—a desire to be the best for his team, for his city, and for himself.
And as the season dawned, one thing was clear: Patrick Mahomes wasn’t just chasing greatness. He was redefining it, one day at a time.
