Chiefs HC Andy Reid Confident That Patrick Mahomes Will Fix Turnover Problem
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes entered the 2021 season with 24 career interceptions. Through seven games, he's added nine more to that tally, tied with the Jets' Zach Wilson for the league lead.
The Chiefs have limped out to a 3-4 record and while the defense has been one of the worst units in the league, Mahomes' play as been unlike what we've seen in recent years. Turnovers have been aplenty, but head coach Andy Reid is confident that his MVP quarterback will return to form.
“Well, it’s the way he’s wired. I believe in him. He doesn’t hide things,” Reid said during his Thursday presser. “A lot of guys will make excuses for whatever the issue might be, and he’s up front about it. He’s not afraid to talk to the players about it, the coaches about it. That’s part of it, and then he goes and works on it, which is the most important thing. It builds a confidence in you that way.”
Mahomes will get his first crack at turning the season around on Monday night at home against the Giants at 8:15 on ESPN, as a 9.5-point favorite, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
While the turnovers have been costly, Mahomes' other numbers indicate that his season hasn't been a total dud. Mahomes is third in the league in touchdowns with 18, 5th in yards with 2,093 and a 5th best 64.0 QBR. The Chiefs offense has moved the ball at a higher rate than anybody in the league, with most of their drives ending with a turnover, rather than a punt. The Chiefs have punted a league low 12 times this season.
Reid said that through the struggles, Mahomes hasn't hid from it but noted that the rest of the team must step up around him.
“If you’re willing to attack the issues, you can get it changed around in whatever direction you want,” Reid said. “This is anybody — this is any of these athletes. They’re amazing people and very gifted. So, that’s how Pat operates — he’s not going to hide or shy away from anything. If there’s a problem, he’s going to attack it and work to fix it.
“So, as coaches we’re here to teach, and that’s what we do. Any guidance that we can give them, any of the players, we try to do that. That becomes important. We’ve all got to raise our game up as coaches and as players.”