Patrick Mahomes spent his rookie season on the bench. A Chiefs fan wants to send him back there.
It's no secret that Patrick Mahomes has been less-than good — at least by Mahomes standards — in 2021: the 5-4 Chiefs offense has been less explosive than it has been in recent years, and Mahomes has thrown 20 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in the wishy-washy season.
But Super Bowl victory, Super Bowl appearance and dazzling performances aside, a petition circulating the interwebs is calling for Mahomes to ride the pine, and have him replaced with backup extraodinaire … Chad Henne.
Here's the whole saga:
MORE: What's wrong with Patrick Mahomes?
Bench Patrick Mahomes petition?
Started three weeks ago following a 3-4 start by the Chiefs, "Ian Haywood" (if that's really his name), the petition was sitting at just over 1,000 signatures entering Week 10. The goal, which is inching ever closer, sits at 1,500 signatures. What happens if and when the petition reaches that number is anyone's guess.
Here's the complete plea for Mahomes to ride the pine:
The Kansas City Chiefs are 3-4 starting out the 2021 NFL season. This is the worst start that the Chiefs have had in their first 7 games since 2015 in which they went 1-6. Are we going to put all of the blame on Patrick Mahomes? Absolutely.
Through their first 7 games of this season Mahomes has 2093 passing yards and 18 passing touchdowns which isn't bad, however his 9 interceptions are making him an average quarterback. How can you justify paying an average quarterback $500 million? He is not only stealing money from the Kansas City Chiefs organization, or stealing playing time from the greatest quarterback in the league; Chad Henne, but he is also stealing the dignity from the good people of Kansas City. Just the other week two Chiefs superfans were banned from Arrowhead Stadium for having a heated brawl in the stadium. We have to end this madness.
"What is the solution?" You might ask. The only solution that I see fit is to bench Patrick Mahomes. It's time to look to the future: Chad Henne. He is more than able and can bring this team back to glory.
We need your help. Sign this petition to help get the attention of the Chiefs organization. We will not be silent. We will not stop until we see action.
#Henne4Starter
Fans being hyper-reactionary and emotional isn't anything new, but this explanation leans more on the side of "clear and obvious troll job" than it does legitimate nuanced discussion.
To be fair, Mahomes has been un-Mahomes-like in 2021: At the time of the petition, Mahomes had thrown for 2,093 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The interceptions had been tied for most in the NFL at that point, along with Jets rookie Zach Wilson.
So, while the reactionary nature of the take (and petition) is understandable, the conclusion to bench a former league MVP after a rough stretch isn't. To add the cherry on top, the whole thing really goes out the window when the petitioner mentions 36-year-old Henne as "the future." I mean, come on, people. It also looks like Haywood is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame for starting the petition.
As it turns out, this seemingly long-simmering troll job seems to be bubbling up once again. In the summer of 2019, before the Chiefs embarked on their Super Bowl-winning journey, Haywood and other Chiefs fans called for the benching of Mahomes, suggesting that Reid start long-time backup Henne instead.
Some Chiefs fans, though, are taking the (what appears to be, incredibly obvious) bait seriously.
In a counter-petition started before the start of Week 10, KC faithful showed they are taking the asinine opinion to heart (fatal mistake No. 1), and want Haywood excommunicated from Chiefs Kingdom.
From the counter-petition:
THIS guy Ian Haywood ....really? Starting a petition to BENCH patrick Mahomes? How about we remove him (Ian) from Chiefs Kingdom? Ban Ian Haywood from being a fan. True fans don't quit on their team, especially on their franchise quarterback. True fans support their team win or lose and ride out the tough times. Get that guy outta here!
One thing's for certain: The Chiefs better start winning again, and fast, or else there will be a full-on uprising in the Kingdom.
