This Sunday’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers will be a significant milestone for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as it marks his 100th career start. In just over seven seasons, Mahomes has already accomplished what no other NFL player has achieved in such a short span.
Mahomes spent nearly his entire rookie year in 2017 behind then-starting quarterback Alex Smith. However, his potential was evident when he started the final game of the season against the Denver Broncos after the Chiefs had secured their playoff spot.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently reflected on that game, recalling how Mahomes’ performance impressed everyone on the team and instilled confidence in his future success. Speaking to the media on Friday, Kelce shared, “We were all excited to see him finally go out and cut it loose. He worked his tail off all year—studying the playbook, throwing on the scout team—and he was just a fun teammate. Everyone saw how much he loved the game, and when he took the field, you could feel the energy. He took over that game, and from that point on, we knew he could play at an extremely high level in the NFL.”
Mahomes didn’t just live up to the hype, he shattered expectations when he became the full-time starter in 2018. He had one of the most remarkable seasons in NFL history, throwing for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns, which earned him the NFL MVP award. Since then, he’s accumulated 77 regular season wins, the most by any quarterback through 99 starts.
Mahomes also holds records for the most passing yards and touchdowns through 99 games, and his career accolades are already legendary. These include three Super Bowl championships, three Super Bowl MVP awards, two NFL MVP awards, and three All-Pro selections. If he maintains his pace and avoids injury, Mahomes will reach his 200th career start by Week 1 of the 2030 season at the age of 35.
While Tom Brady currently holds the NFL record for most starts by a quarterback with 333, Mahomes is on a trajectory that could see him challenge even the greatest milestones in the league.
Beyond the records, Mahomes has revolutionized the quarterback position, combining elite athleticism with an unparalleled football IQ. His ability to make seemingly impossible plays while maintaining composure under pressure has redefined the expectations of modern quarterbacks. As he steps into his 100th start, Mahomes continues to carve out a legacy that might one day place him among the all-time greats like Brady and Peyton Manning.
Sunday’s game against the Chargers is more than just a divisional matchup—it’s another chapter in the evolving story of one of the most electrifying athletes in NFL history.
