TLDR;
Patrick Mahomes discusses the Kansas City Chiefs' response to their 0-2 start, emphasizing the importance of addressing mistakes and improving execution. He reflects on specific plays, including missed throws and reads, and highlights the need for better teamwork and trust. Mahomes expresses confidence in the team's work ethic and ability to bounce back, while also addressing play-calling decisions and his own running tendencies.
- Team is coming together and responding to adversity.
- Focus on improving execution and minimizing mistakes.
- Trust in coaching decisions and team's ability to bounce back.
Opening Thoughts on the Season [0:06]
Patrick Mahomes acknowledges the team's disappointing start, noting that they've let games slip away due to mistakes in crucial moments. Despite playing against good teams, the Chiefs haven't performed to their usual standards. Mahomes believes the team is uniting and emphasizes that their response to adversity will define their season. He looks forward to seeing who steps up to the challenge and how they can improve.
Offensive Disconnect and Missed Opportunities [0:41]
Mahomes points out the disjointed nature of the offense, citing specific instances such as batted balls and missed deep shots. He admits to personal errors, like overthrowing Noah Gray, and stresses the importance of executing those throws in a competitive league. Mahomes commits to improving his performance as the season progresses.
Analyzing the Throw to Travis Kelce at the Goal Line [1:05]
Mahomes breaks down a specific play where his throw to Travis Kelce at the goal line went wrong. He explains that the defense played as expected, but his throw was slightly early, preventing Kelce from making the catch and bracing for the hit. Mahomes aims to place the ball more on Kelce's body in similar situations to ensure a catch and potential score.
Addressing the Missed Throw to Noah Gray [1:58]
Mahomes discusses a missed throw to Noah Gray, attributing it to the corner biting down on Travis Kelce. This missed opportunity stalled the momentum of their first drive. He acknowledges that this error, along with other small mistakes throughout the team, is holding them back. Despite the frustration, Mahomes believes they are close to turning things around and emphasizes the need to keep working hard.
Team's Response to the 0-2 Start [2:39]
Mahomes expresses confidence in his teammates' ability to respond to the 0-2 start by focusing on hard work. He emphasizes that their past success in Kansas City has been built on a strong work ethic. Despite never starting a season 0-2 before, Mahomes believes the team will return to work with the mindset of improving and winning in crucial moments.
Potential Quarterback Sneaks and Running Strategy [3:11]
Mahomes is open to using quarterback sneaks in short-yardage situations, noting that they've incorporated it in certain games. He trusts Coach Reid's play-calling and mentions that the right defensive look is necessary for a successful sneak. Mahomes also addresses his increased running this season, attributing it to defensive schemes and his competitive drive to win.
Balancing Running and Protecting Himself [4:08]
Mahomes explains how he balances running aggressively for first downs with protecting himself from injury. He aims to avoid running over larger defenders and focuses on hitting and falling forward. Mahomes emphasizes the importance of being smart in these situations and learning from experience.
Analyzing Scrambles and Trusting Receivers [4:46]
Mahomes explains that his scrambles are often a result of taking what the defense gives him. He reviews game film to identify areas for improvement, such as trusting his receivers to get open. Mahomes acknowledges that he needs to trust his receivers and offensive line more, allowing them to make plays downfield.
Addressing Overall Offensive Struggles [5:35]
Mahomes attributes the offensive struggles to a series of small errors from various players, including himself. He mentions missed throws, batted balls, and missed opportunities to connect with receivers. Mahomes emphasizes that these missed opportunities stall drives, especially against good defenses, and stresses the need to iron out these wrinkles through hard work.
Trust in Coaching Decisions on Fourth Down [6:13]
Mahomes discusses the decision to go for it on fourth down in their own territory, expressing his support for aggressive play-calling. He trusts Coach Reid's judgment and believes in the team's defense to make stops. Mahomes acknowledges that these decisions are always second-guessed when they don't work but prefers to be on the aggressive side. He also notes that punting later in the game was a decision based on trusting the defense to get stops.
Missed Opportunity Before Touchdown [7:40]
Mahomes reflects on a missed opportunity before a touchdown, where a receiver was wide open. He explains that he was initially looking at another receiver and then hesitated before throwing to Travis Kelce. Mahomes recognizes the importance of hitting those deep shots to potentially create more scoring opportunities and give the team a better chance to win. He commits to learning from this and improving in the future.