A photo of Kansas City Chiefs‘ Patrick Mahomes has gone viral by causing concern among segments of their fanbase, wondering if he’s in the right shape ahead of the 2025/26 NFL season after looking like he’s added some pounds.
Taken during a family golf outing, the image has ignited speculation over the quarterback’s fitness as he is seen posing with his wife, Brittany, and their two children in a casual golf shirt, but looking larger than expected to some viewers.
Online, the response was swift, with fans voicing concern and accusing Mahomes of looking “severely out of shape” compared to his typical toned look, prompting questions about if he will be ready in time for the opener.
While his listed stats of 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds have not changed, the fears are real despite Mahomes‘ unrivaled accomplishments at just 29 years old, including three Super Bowl titles, two NFL MVP honors and three Super Bowl MVP awards.
Mahomes focuses on preparation
Mahomes himself has previously poked fun at his physique, referring to it jokingly as a “dad bod” and adding that he lacks a naturally athletic body and has to work harder than others to keep in shape.
Yet despite not fitting the mold of the ultra-ripped NFL athlete, his performance remains unquestionable and he excels in mental qualities such as intelligence and leadership compared to blistering speed or impressive strength.
Still, the offseason image brought added scrutiny following Kansas City’s Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, dominated 40-22 on the night as Mahomes was sacked six times.
Despite social media panic, he has not been idle. His social media accounts have seen recent footage of him participating in intense workout routines with his personal trainer, including lifting weights, running sprints, and performing core-strengthening exercises.
Another image from a separate golf event at Pinehurst in March, where he reunited with teammate Travis Kelce, revealed a visibly more athletic Mahomes – so his body in his family golf trip with Brittany could simply be a lighting trick.
If he has got bigger, however, there will be a reason. he could also be experimenting with body composition by possibly adding bulk for pocket stability rather than relying on rushing, which was a necessity during stretches of 2024/25.
But he is also a professional athlete, and they are known for being able to drop weight very quickly, in a manner of weeks, to get back into tip-top condition in time for the start of their respective seasons.
For example, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Julius Randle is known for packing some timber when he isn’t on the NBA court at the Crypto.com Arena, but as soon as preseason training starts he gets ripped quickly. Mahomes could do the same.
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