In the world of sports broadcasting, admitting you missed the boat on a generational talent is a rite of passage. For Kirk Herbstreit, that moment has arrived.
The legendary analyst recently “ate his words” regarding Patrick Mahomes, confessing that he never saw the Texas Tech standout becoming the face of the NFL.
Appearing on the YouTube show This is Football, Herbstreit was asked which college quarterback surprised him most with their professional transition. His answer was immediate.
I guess I could go back to Mahomes,” Herbstreit said. “I’ve done college football for 30 years. If you would’ve told me that Mahomes is gonna be that when he was at Texas Tech.
He recalled, “I just looked at Mahomes as like, he’s another Texas Tech, throwing [quarterback]. I thought he’d be a good player, but I never really imagined him becoming what he is.”
Silencing the “Work in progress” critics
Herbstreit wasn’t alone in his skepticism. When Mahomes entered the 2017 Draft, the consensus was that he was a “project.” NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein famously labeled him a “work in progress,” noting a lack of discipline and a “non-repeatable process.”
Critics at the time pointed to several perceived weaknesses that, ironically, have become Mahomes’ greatest strengths:
“Playground style”: Originally seen as a limitation, this improvisation has defined his career.
“Big-game hunting”: His “ravenous appetite for the explosive play” was once considered “unwanted trouble.”
“Inconsistent approach”: Experts feared he couldn’t play “inside the offense.”
History, however, has written a much different story. With a 17-4 postseason record and a staggering 46-to-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Mahomes has turned those “bad habits” into three Super Bowl rings.
Mahomes’ Hall of Fame resume
In just a few seasons, the Chiefs star has compiled a “laundry list” of accolades that most players couldn’t achieve in two decades:
- 3× Super Bowl Champion & MVP
- 2× NFL Most Valuable Player (2018, 2022)
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2018)
- 6× Pro Bowl Selection
- NFL passing yards leader (2022)
- 2× NFL passing touchdowns leader (2018, 2022)
While the “playground style” that experts once feared is currently on ice, Herbstreit’s admission serves as a reminder: betting against Mahomes’ ability to evolve has historically been a losing proposition.
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