The Gryphon Gazette

By Sawyer G. ‘26

Patrick Mahomes’ stellar Super Bowl LVIII performance not only vaulted him closer to Tom Brady in the “Greatest of All Time” conversation but also presented a hard-found ideology every General Manager in the NFL needs to possess heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Patrick Mahomes’ standout performance in Super Bowl LVIII epitomizes the essential role of dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacks in achieving Super Bowl success, signifying a poignant shift in the NFL’s quarterback evaluation and team-building strategies. Mahomes’ blend of passing prowess and scrambling ability represents the new gold standard for quarterbacks, influencing NFL teams to prioritize similar talents in the draft, notably Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Caleb Williams. Analyzing Mahomes’ impact and the evolving NFL landscape underscores the importance of versatile quarterbacks for competitive advantage, marking a significant shift towards valuing quarterback dynamism for long-term success. Throughout the playoffs, every Chiefs win fell on the shoulders of the best player in the NFL, and the best quarterback to ever play, Patrick Mahomes. He not only got it done through the air, but was also deadly with his scrambling, proving too much for the top defenses in the NFL to stop. Patrick Mahomes’ sixth straight stellar playoff run highlights the fact that in the NFL if you do not have a top quarterback who can get it done through the air and on the ground, you will not have a shot at competing for a Super Bowl. This should carry heavy weight for every team in the NFL heading into the draft, as almost every team in the NFL should be on the lookout for a quarterback as dynamic and as explosive as the best to ever do it, Patrick Mahomes. 

There is a very small number of teams in the NFL who should not be going into the draft trying to target one of the top three quarterbacks: UNC’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and USC’s Caleb Williams. Those teams are the LA Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia. One can make an argument for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars and Jordan Love and the Packers, but at this point, I would not include them in the list. These teams already possess quarterbacks who are considered generational talents and have had immense success in a short amount of time in the NFL.  This means that besides those listed, the 26 other teams in the NFL should be trying to draft Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or Caleb Williams. All three premier quarterbacks, especially Daniels and Williams, excel throwing the ball downfield and stretching the defense, along with running through the lines and creative positive-impact plays for their offenses. Even though he is viewed as a wildcard, I am especially high on Jayden Daniels, who is the best rushing quarterback to ever play College Football (yes, better than Mike Vick amd Kyler Murray). Teams need to learn through the success of Patrick Mahomes that they should never be satisfied at the quarterback position, because of the magnitude of the impact they have on the outcome of a game and the team’s success as a whole. 

In conclusion, Patrick Mahomes’ extraordinary performance and his unparalleled contribution to the Chiefs’ success underscore a critical lesson for NFL teams: the indispensable value of a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback in the quest for Super Bowl glory. As the NFL moves towards the 2024 Draft, the emphasis on securing a quarterback with the ability to dominate both through the air and on the ground becomes paramount. While a select few teams already have their cornerstone quarterbacks, the majority should aggressively pursue talents like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and Caleb Williams, who embody the skill set that Mahomes has proven to be game-changing. The pursuit of such a quarterback isn’t just about filling a position; it’s about recognizing the transformative impact a player like Mahomes can have on a team’s fortunes. The NFL is evolving, and Patrick Mahomes’ legacy is a beacon for teams aiming to compete at the highest level, illustrating that settling for mediocrity at the quarterback position is no longer an option if Super Bowl success is the goal.