Patrick Mahomes has more talent around him than any other NFL quarterback

A new column by Bleacher Report says the Kansas City Chiefs have given Patrick Mahomes the best overall supporting cast of any NFL quarterback.

The best way to ease someone into a new scenario is to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Surround them with creature comforts. Give them the tools to do the job. Provide the best sort of training or preparation as you can before you ask them to take on the new task or environment.

The Kansas City Chiefs have done all of that and more for Patrick Mahomes as they prepare to suit up him as their official franchise quarterback in his second NFL season. Bleacher Report took notice in a recent list as they called K.C.’s supporting cast as the best for any quarterback in the NFL.

Taking Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft was only the first of several steps still to come to ensure his eventual success—inasmuch as a team can actually “ensure” such things.

Immediately after taking him, they simply asked him to sit and learn. He earned some preseason reps and got work in during practice and with the scout team, but he largely was able to watch last year’s starter and a true professional in Alex Smith prepare and perform each and every week. At season’s end, the schedule played out perfectly for Mahomes to take over for a meaningless game—at least in terms of the final standings and playoff picture—on the road at Mile High Stadium against the Denver Broncos.

Then this offseason, the Chiefs went to work once again, conforming the roster to Mahomes’ needs. They traded Smith before the Super Bowl, capitalizing early in their own offseason to make sure that Mahomes would be free of any questions about the future or quarterback controversies. After clearing a path for him, they set about making him as comfortable in the position as possible.

Of course it helps when the team already had so many pieces in place. Kareem Hunt was already in the backfield as the NFL’s returning rushing leader. Next to him should be Spencer Ware, the starter form 2016, returning from injury alongside third down back Charcandrick West. Yet they also brought in the Williams Three this offseason to maximize competition at both running back and returner with former Dolphins RB Damien Williams, former Cardinals RB/KR Kerwynn Williams and undrafted free agent RB Darrel Williams.

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At tight end, the Chiefs already had one of the two best in the business in Travis Kelce, a now annual All-Pro who crossed the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season in 2017. Behind Kelce is Demetrius Harris along with a few other veteran hopefuls in Tim Wright, Jace Amaro, Alex Ellis and undrafted free agent Black Mack.

Then, of course, at wide receiver, the Chiefs look absolutely loaded as they look to take advantage of Mahomes’ cannon of an arm. Tyreek Hill is arguably the best deep threat in the NFL already after his second season and first full year at wide receiver. Last year, he had 75 catches on 1,183 yards, but he still should have been targeted much more. Look for those numbers to climb significantly next season.

Next to him is Sammy Watkins, the major free agent prize who signed for a whopping $16 million/season over 3 years. Watkins should be the recipient of soft(er) coverage given the Chiefs other weapons, but if he’s the one drawing a strong defensive focus, then that only means good things for the rest of the team.

Waiting in the wings for further targets will be former third round pick Chris Conley, who enters his contract year in 2018, DeMarcus Robinson, Jehu Chesson and De’Anthony Thomas, along with other prospects like Gehrig Dieter, Marcus Kemp, Elijah Marks and Daniel Braverman.

The expectations for the Chiefs offense are sky high and Mahomes is already feeling the pressure, but the Chiefs have done everything they can to prepare him for this moment. Now it’s all up to him.

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