🏈 Andy Reid Credits “Commanders Guru” Who First Believed in Patrick Mahomes — Key Reason Chiefs Drafted the Star QB 💡🔥
Ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Monday night matchup against the Washington Commanders, Patrick Mahomes took a moment to reflect on one of the coaches who played a pivotal role in his career: Kliff Kingsbury.
Before Mahomes became a three-time Super Bowl champion, he was developing his skills under then-Texas Tech head coach Kingsbury, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Commanders. The two will reunite on the field on Monday, but Mahomes hasn’t forgotten the influence Kingsbury had on his early development as a quarterback.
Mahomes Heaps Praise on Kingsbury
During a recent press conference, Mahomes described Kingsbury as one of the first coaches to truly believe in his potential at quarterback. “He gave me a ton of advice on refining my game but still letting me be me and play to my strengths,” Mahomes said. “A great coach, a great person that I still stay in touch with. He helped me get to where I’m at today because he didn’t put me in a box and tell me how to play quarterback.”
Mahomes emphasized that Kingsbury’s approach allowed him to develop his unique style of play. “He would help with footwork and progressions, but once you get to the game, you just have to go out there and play your game,” Mahomes said. “Same with Coach [Andy] Reid and ‘Nags’ [offensive coordinator Matt Nagy] when I got here—they wanted to keep refining but also let me play the game that got me here.”
The quarterback added that he feels fortunate to have avoided situations where quarterbacks are “boxed in,” unable to perform as their best selves—a situation he has observed with others.
Andy Reid Acknowledges Kingsbury’s Influence
It’s not just Mahomes who recognizes Kingsbury’s impact. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has previously credited Kingsbury as a significant factor in the team’s decision to draft Mahomes in 2017. Reid highlighted Kingsbury’s familiarity with Mahomes’ style and the quarterback’s potential as instrumental in identifying the perfect fit for Kansas City’s offense.
Kingsbury himself has spoken about hoping Mahomes would land with the Chiefs, citing Reid’s offensive system as ideal for Mahomes’ development. “Knowing what Andy Reid does offensively, how he adjusts personnel, and how he’s adapted to every quarterback he’s had, it was a perfect storm,” Kingsbury said in 2018.
Mahomes’ 2025 Season So Far
Through seven games this season, Mahomes has thrown for 1,800 yards with 14 touchdowns and only two interceptions, continuing to demonstrate the dynamic playmaking ability that Kingsbury first believed in during his college days.
As Mahomes prepares to face his former coach, the mutual respect and gratitude between player and mentor underscore the importance of guidance, trust, and opportunity in shaping an NFL superstar.
