When the Chiefs hoisted that Lombardi Trophy in February, it marked Patrick Mahomes‘ third Super Bowl crown before hitting the ripe old age of 29.

But behind those gaudy numbers and heroic game-winning drives lies a fascinating psychological dynamic, per NFL analyst Chris Simms. Even legends like Mahomes can get a case of the “Red Zone Blahs” against over-matched foes. “Some of his worst games were against the worst competition,” Simms revealed on his Unbuttoned podcast. “He can get complacent, bored…”

It’s a jarring revelation – An affliction Simms chalks up to Mahomes’ insatiable competitive fire. “Wait, it was three and out. I gotta make something happen now,” Simms broke down the QB’s mentality amid offensive stagnation.

The result? A stubborn refusal to stay patient within the system, forcing throws and prematurely leaving the pocket in hopes of creating magic. “He wants to be Mr. Magic Man,” Simms said, recounting Mahomes’ own admission. It’s a delicate tightrope Mahomes walks – using that killer instinct as fuel, while avoiding the bad habits it can breed. The sloppiness, the missed reads, the “internal clock” getting messed up as Simms puts it.

Yet, mind-bogglingly, even a bored and frustrated Mahomes is one of the NFL’s apex predators. The Chiefs still captured their third Lombardi in four years during his admitted “worst” campaign to date. Imagine when the QB is 100% dialed in from opening kick-off. It’s a terrifying thought for the rest of the league’s defensive coordinators.

Deciphering Mahomes stats and setting expectations for 2024

Following his third Super Bowl MVP award after dismantling the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, Patrick Mahomes is on a trajectory to be considered among the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He has already achieved heights reached by only a few signal-callers like Tom Brady and Joe Montana. As CBS Sports proclaimed, “Mahomes is already among the all-time greats at quarterback. At this point, the only quarterback Mahomes has to catch in the greatest quarterback conversation is Brady.”

Furthermore, the statistical projections for Mahomes’ 2024 campaign are staggering. In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport forecasted over 5,000 passing yards and 41 touchdowns for Mahomes next season – numbers typically seen only in video games on rookie mode. However, with the addition of offensive weapons like Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy, such lofty numbers appear plausible. Davenport stated, “Give Mahomes the weapons, and he will shred just about any defense in the league.”

At this point, are we even ruling out him toppling 6,000 total yards or 50 touchdowns? We’re treading into uncharted territory here. His performance in the upcoming 2024 season will likely further solidify his legendary standing in NFL history.