Why is Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes throwing deep more this preseason?

Jesse Reed

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Why is Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes throwing deep more this preseason? image

For fans of the Kansas City Chiefs, the emergence of a new deep ball trend from Patrick Mahomes is reason to celebrate. The rest of the league? Yeah, those teams and their fans may not be as excited. 

Highlighting this very topic, Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life wrote that "Mahomes' average target depth has increased from a league-low 6.8 yards to 7.6 in limited preseason action."

So what is the reason for this uptick in taking shots downfield?

Xavier Worthy gives Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs game-breaking speed

It really wasn't fair to let Andy Reid and Mahomes have rookie sensation Xavier Worthy. 

The former Texas Longhorns star wowed those watching the Chiefs' second preseason game. His record-breaking speed was on display as Worthy made NFL defensive backs looks like they were wearing cement shoes. 

Getting valuable reps with Mahomes in the team's loss against Detroit, Worthy caught three passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, including a long reception of 39 yards. 

 

 

Worthy isn't the only burner on the Chiefs' roster, either. Hollywood Brown has the kind of speed that breaks defenses, too. 

Mahomes can make every throw, and then some. He's going to have ample opportunities to hit deep shots with these speedy options on the perimeter this season. That's great news for the Chiefs' three-peat hopes. It's nightmare fuel for the rest of the NFL. 

Jesse Reed

Jesse Reed Photo

Jesse Reed is a passionate and avid NFL fan, first and foremost. He has been a professional writer for more than a decade with experience as a Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, where he was featured on Yardbarker and MSN.com. Previously, Jesse was a breaking news writer/NFL analyst for Bleacher Report. Follow him on X/Twitter at @JesseReed78.