It’s hard to imagine a time when Patrick Mahomes wasn’t dominating NFL highlight reels, but even for the most promising young stars, there’s a defining moment that cements them as legends.
For Mahomes, that moment came during the 2018 season—a year that changed everything.
This was the season when the world realized they were witnessing something truly special, a quarterback destined not only for greatness but for NFL immortality.
The Early Promise
Drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017, Mahomes spent his rookie season learning the ropes behind veteran QB Alex Smith. While the Chiefs had confidence in their young star, few outside of Kansas City knew just how remarkable his talent was. That all changed when he was named the Chiefs’ starter in 2018, a season that marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise and the league.
The Defining Game: Week 2 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Every rising star needs their breakout performance, and for Mahomes, it came in Week 2 of the 2018 season. Facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team known for its tough defense, Mahomes put on a display that stunned the football world. He threw six touchdown passes in that game, setting an NFL record for the most TD passes in a quarterback’s first two weeks of the season. It wasn’t just the number of touchdowns that caught everyone’s attention—it was the effortless way he made them happen.
His incredible arm strength, precision, and football IQ were on full display, leaving defenders scrambling and analysts searching for superlatives to describe his performance. That game proved he wasn’t just another talented young QB—he was a game-changer.
Mahomes Mania Begins
By the end of the 2018 season, Mahomes had cemented himself as a household name. He threw for a staggering 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns, becoming only the second quarterback in NFL history to achieve a 50-touchdown season (joining Peyton Manning). His electrifying style of play made the Chiefs’ offense one of the most feared in the league, and fans couldn’t get enough.
That year, Mahomes earned the NFL MVP award, a rare feat for a first-year starter. The award was a testament to his dominance and the belief that the future of football had arrived in Kansas City. But it wasn’t just his stats that made him legendary—it was his leadership, his unshakable confidence, and his ability to make even the impossible look routine.
The Super Bowl Triumph
While 2018 was the season that announced Mahomes to the world, it was in 2020 that he truly ascended to the pantheon of football greats. Leading the Chiefs to Super Bowl LIV, Mahomes orchestrated a stunning comeback against the San Francisco 49ers, turning a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit into a 31-20 victory. He was named Super Bowl MVP, the youngest quarterback in history to win both an MVP and a Super Bowl.
The victory solidified his status as not just a prodigious talent but a bona fide NFL legend. At only 24 years old, Mahomes had already achieved what most players could only dream of—Super Bowl glory, MVP honors, and a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
The Legacy Continues
Patrick Mahomes’ career is far from over, but that pivotal 2018 season, and specifically his record-breaking game against the Steelers, will always stand out as the moment the world realized they were witnessing something special. From his cannon-like arm to his unshakable poise under pressure, Mahomes has transformed the quarterback position and inspired a new generation of athletes.
As he continues to break records and lead the Kansas City Chiefs to new heights, we can always look back to that fateful season—the one that made Patrick Mahomes a household name and set him on the path to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen.
