3 Factors That Could Derail a Potential Patrick Mahomes 2020 MVP Season
By Mark Powell
Patrick Mahomes enters the 2020 NFL season (assuming there is one) as one of the prohibitive for the MVP award. Just two years removed from receiving said honor in 2018, and notching the ultimate team honor in 2019 with a Super Bowl victory, Mahomes is expected to take the league by storm yet again as the undisputed best pound-for-pound quarterback the NFL has to offer.
Still, not all is certain, and winning the MVP requires a stunning amount of stamina and statistical success. Mahomes reached those heights once, but to do so again, he'll need some luck.
3. Durability
Mahomes missed three games in 2019, and if he doesn't change his play-style drastically (and why would he?), he could once again be at risk of missing some time. The Chiefs re-signed Chad Henne and brought in XFL star Jordan Ta'amu, so they clearly applied extra emphasis on the depth chart behind Mahomes just for that reason.
2. Garbage Time
The Chiefs are favorites to win the Super Bowl once again in 2020 as they return most of their roster from the previous year. With that level of success comes several blowouts every year, and Andy Reid would be wise to take his signal-caller out of the game when possible, especially with a huge lead late. Doing so will limit Mahomes' overall statistics, and with it his MVP chances.
1. Improved Running Game
As if the Chiefs didn't have enough weapons, they drafted LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Paired with Damien Williams in the backfield, Kansas City is trying to take some pressure off of Mahomes. Doing so will limit his production, but for his long-term benefit.