How did Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes change this year? These graphics tell the story
When the Kansas City Chiefs traded receiver Tyreek Hill before this season, the overwhelming national sentiment was that quarterback Patrick Mahomes would take a statistical step back.
Instead, the opposite happened. Though Hill found plenty of success with the Miami Dolphins, Mahomes’ numbers actually got better, putting him on an offensive pace that should result in him earning the NFL MVP award in early February.
So how did Mahomes do it? Start with this: He doubled down on throwing to his future hall-of-fame tight end Travis Kelce. In fact, Kelce pulled down 25.3% of Mahomes’ completions in 2022 — a total that slightly edged Hill’s 24.8% share in 2021.
*Receptions only include passes thrown by Patrick Mahomes. Graphic by Neil Nakahodo, David Newcomb, Gabby McCall and Sohail Al-Jamea.
Mahomes created more big plays with a new receiving group this year. His raw stats also saw an uptick as he increased his passing yards, QB rating and touchdown passes after playing 17 regular-season games in both 2021 and 2022.
And while Hill’s playmaking wasn’t replaced by one wideout on the outside, two additions filled in to provide for a lot of his missing production.
Free-agent signings JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling flourished after joining Mahomes in KC, and their overall per-reception efficiency ended up a touch better than what the Chiefs received from Hill in 2021.
Add it all up, and the Chiefs once again boasted the NFL’s best offense, helped by Mahomes’ magic and coach Andy Reid’s play-calling ingenuity.
It might not have been expected before the season. But Mahomes and a new cast of characters proved they could thrive in the 2022 season — even without a Cheetah’s boost.
