Jerome Bettis Thinks the Only QB Close to Patrick Mahomes Was a Young Brett Favre
By Adam Weinrib
Patrick Mahomes' unrivaled mobility, absolute howitzer of an arm, and quick-strike decision-making have turned the Kansas City Chiefs' offense into something out of an OC's fever dream.
Modern OC, that is. We're not sure someone straight out of the 1970s would enjoy so much freelancing and creativity on his watch.
The 24-year-old Mahomes is certainly of his own breed, and one star of the past thinks that even in the previous generation of this game, there wasn't anyone who replicated the total package he brings.
Someone did approximate it, though. According to Hall of Fame Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, a young Brett Favre is the best Mahomes comp.
Mahomes HS coach:
— Brian Spilbeler (@CoachSpil) January 21, 2020
"he would not get invited to these certain showcase events...when so many other guys were in these showcase events or whatever else, he was competing. He was on the basketball court, competing. He was on the baseball diamond, competing.” https://t.co/WVv5vgsiQD
"He looks like -- the only thing that's even close would be a young Favre," Bettis told 12up on Thursday. "To have the cannon of an arm, athletic, can move around. Brett was probably more of a gunslinger than Patrick is, but Patrick is every bit the athlete, every bit as big an arm. That's probably the only comparison you can even come close to."
i could watch Brett Favre highlights every day and never get bored pic.twitter.com/6jiKD49uMF
— Dylan Zadonowicz (@DylanZadonowicz) October 10, 2019
That's the main difference of course, though, isn't it? Mahomes, when you really break it down, is like a proto-Favre who's more calculated with all of his wildly athletic quick-twitch motions. But both are equally exciting, cut from the same mold. In fact, it's likely Favre may have walked so Mahomes can run, when all's said and done.
As for this weekend's monster game, the big back believes in KC, and not just because of the man under center. Not shockingly, Bettis was focused on the backfield.
"Last week, with Derrick Henry, they were run stop, run stop, run stop. Now, facing San Francisco, they're already in run-stopping mode. That bodes well for what Kansas City's doing," he told us.
Mr. Bettis spoke with 12up on behalf of Hertz -- they're honoring Gold Plus Rewards members with special experiences at the Big Game. Grand prize is a helicopter tour of Miami, and 100 customers (50 winners plus guest) will commute to and from the Big Game in a decked-out Hertz bus, much like the one The Bus and I caught up on. Trust me. It was chill.