4t Kurt Warner to Chiefs Critics: “Everyone Needs to Relax” – Mahomes Is Still the GOAT, Even Without the Deep Ball
In the relentless churn of NFL discourse, where every incompletion sparks a hot take and every stalled drive invites doom-scrolling, Hall of Famer Kurt Warner has emerged as Patrick Mahomes’ most eloquent defender. On a recent episode of NFL Network’s Good Morning Football (October 8, 2025), the Super Bowl XXXIV MVP and two-time league MVP didn’t just praise the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback—he dismantled the narrative that’s dogged Mahomes through a frustratingly methodical 2025 start. “Everyone needs to relax on the Chiefs,” Warner urged, his voice a blend of quarterback wisdom and genuine exasperation. “One thing most people don’t understand is how hard it is to play QB when you don’t have a deep element in your offense! The pressure on the QB and how precise and consistent you have to be!”
Warner, who orchestrated the “Greatest Show on Turf” with the St. Louis Rams—throwing for 4,353 yards and 41 touchdowns in 1999—knows the dual-edged sword of offensive schemes. The Chiefs, sitting at 3-2 after a gritty 20-17 win over the Chargers on October 6, have leaned on dink-and-dunk precision amid a receiver corps plagued by drops and injuries. Hollywood Brown (hamstring) and Rashee Rice (suspension fallout) have left Mahomes without a consistent vertical threat, forcing 10-12 play marches that chew clock but test patience. Mahomes ranks 12th in passer rating (95.2) and 18th in yards per attempt (6.8) through five weeks—far from his 2022 MVP tear—but Warner sees genius in the grind. “So many people have looked at Patrick Mahomes over the last couple of years and talk how he hasn’t played as well,” he continued. “When I watch what he’s done, with teams playing ‘downhill’ and having to consistently make 10-12 play drives, I come away more convinced he’s the best QB in the world!”
This isn’t blind fandom; it’s film study from a peer. Warner’s own career featured explosive aerial assaults, but he thrived in high-pressure situations, much like Mahomes’ current reality. The Chiefs’ offense ranks 22nd in scoring (19.6 points per game), a drop from their 2024 dynasty hum, with defenses stacking the box against Isiah Pacheco’s ground game and daring Mahomes to dissect underneath. Yet, per Next Gen Stats, Mahomes leads the league in completion percentage over expected (+5.2%) on those methodical drives—evidence of the “precision” Warner lauds. “Just another element that most see and point at the QB as the problem,” Warner added. “So when I look at it, I want to shine a light on how impressive it actually is, even when it doesn’t look impressive at all!”
The timing couldn’t be more poignant. Entering Week 6’s showdown with the Saints (October 13), Mahomes faces a secondary that’s allowed just 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Critics, from ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (“Mahomes looks mortal!”) to Reddit’s r/nfl threads (45K upvotes on “Is Andy Reid’s scheme holding him back?”), have piled on, ignoring the context: A 35% drop rate from wideouts (league-high) and no 1,000-yard rusher since Kareem Hunt in 2017. Warner’s rebuttal echoes his 2023 Rich Eisen Podcast breakdown, where he marveled at Mahomes’ “hesitation-free” tape amid receiver woes. “Until you pop on the tape each week… you have no idea how good this guy really is!”
For Chiefs Kingdom, Warner’s words are manna. Three-time Super Bowl champ Andy Reid, post-Chargers, nodded: “Kurt gets it—Pat’s carrying us.” Mahomes, ever humble, texted Warner thanks, quipping, “Appreciate the backup—now send some deep routes!” With Travis Kelce’s 28 catches for 312 yards anchoring the short game, the formula works: Kansas City leads the AFC West, their defense (No. 4 in points allowed) buying time for tweaks.
Warner’s plea? Perspective over panic. In a league where QBs like Joe Burrow feast on bombs, Mahomes’ mastery of the mundane—sustained drives, zero turnovers in the red zone—proves elite. As Warner wrapped: “He’s the best in the world.” Relax, indeed. With Warner’s seal, Mahomes isn’t slipping—he’s scheming the next ring. Arrowhead, the torch passes to you
