The gridiron chatter has reached a fever pitch as Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs‘ gunslinger extraordinaire, made his highly anticipated return to the team facilities for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). However, the spotlight quickly shifted from the field to Mahomes’ physique, with some, including former Chief Jason Brown, taking playful jabs at his apparent “dad bod.”

Brown quipped on The Coach JB Show With Big Smitty,“You gotta wear smaller shorts, or something?.. look at that like he prego… lost weight what a lost weight that looks 235 slop.” Yet, Mahomes, a seasoned vet with a knack for keepin’ it real, embraced the narrative with his signature swagger. After all, this is a player who’s already etched his name in the halls of greatness, with three league MVP trophies and a trio of Lombardi’s under his belt.

As the Chiefs kick off Phase Three of their offseason grind, with OTAs marking the first taste of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 action, all eyes are on Mahomes and his leadership. These OTA sessions, which run from May 20-22, May 28-30, and June 4-7, are a crucial part of the Chiefs’ 2024 offseason schedule. Head Coach Andy Reid acknowledged the importance of these sessions, stating, “It’s good to get these guys back together where, within these rules, you can work against each other offensively and defensively.”

Mahomes’ presence on the field during these voluntary practices is invaluable, as he mentors the young bucks and builds that chemistry with his squad of studs. From veteran ballers like Travis Kelce to rookies like Jared Wiley, who hauled in a tremendous touchdown catch up the seam during red zone drills, Mahomes is the glue that binds this championship-caliber roster.

And let’s keep it a buck – if anyone’s gonna rock the dad bod lifestyle, it’s a Mahomes with a loving family and a cabinet full of hardware. Mahomes ain’t got time for getting shredded – he’s too busy putting in work, being a devoted husband and father, and leaving a legacy that’ll have fans reminiscing for generations to come.

Is the dad bod debate a media sensation or meaningless offseason chatter?

This whole dad bod fiasco is a prime example of the media blowing something outta proportion. But Mahomes, ever the consummate pro, is taking it all in stride. He’s cracking jokes about bad camera angles and offseason indulgences, showing that he’s got that unshakable confidence that separates the greats from the goods. Heck, the he even partnered with Coors Light to launch some “Dad Bod” shirts, proving he’s got a sense of humor about the whole thing.

News flash – this ain’t the 90s no more. Away from obsessing over athlete’s physique, it’s time to shift the focus to what really matters – performance on the gridiron. As Darnell Smith replied to Brown in the show, “At the end of the day this is a quarterback position you do not have to be in the prime time amazing physical shape to be a great quarterback.”

Meanwhile, these OTAs are all about the Chiefs putting in that work, building that chemistry, and sharpening those skills for another title run. They’re out there grinding, working on communication, trust, and execution – the things that actually win football games. As linebacker Nick Bolton put it, “This is the foundation. It’s [about] communication – player to coach and coach to player.”

At the end of the day, Mahomes and the Chiefs know what’s up. They’re focused on defending that title, and they ain’t got time for this meaningless chatter. As Mahomes himself said, “If you feel, there might be some skin there, but then underneath that, the six-pack is there. You just gotta get real close and squint a little bit. I think you’ll see it.” So let’s leave the dad bod jokes in the locker room and appreciate these athletes for what they do on the field – which, in Mahomes’ case, is straight-up dominate.