Ex-New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora has ripped into Patrick Mahomes, claiming the Kansas City Chiefs superstar is “no longer the best quarterback” in the NFL
Osi Umenyiora has launched a scathing attack on Patrick Mahomes following his recent displays in the NFL, declaring the former Super Bowl winner is “no longer the best quarterback” in the league. The Kansas City Chiefs have endured their poorest start since 2014, losing to the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil as Justin Herbert completely outshone his rival in every department.
Their next outing saw them face the Philadelphia Eagles in a Super Bowl LIX rematch at Arrowhead, where Mahomes was intercepted once, managed just one touchdown, and accumulated 187 passing yards. Despite Jalen Hurts recording fewer yards and completions, he won yet again as Philadelphia secured a 20-17 triumph to move to 2-0 and leave the Chiefs wallowing in disappointment.
This latest defeat has sparked widespread debate about Mahomes’ performances from the pocket, with one former Super Bowl winner delivering particularly harsh criticism of his recent displays. Former New York Giants defensive end Umenyiora, who claimed two Super Bowls and holds the NFL record for most forced fumbles in a season, has torn into the Chiefs quarterback over his field decisions in recent weeks.
Speaking on the NFL UK YouTube channel, the ex-Giants star believes Mahomes has tumbled down the quarterback pecking order lately. Umenyiora said: “I started to do some research. And what I found was very surprising. What I found was very surprising indeed because Patrick Mahomes is no longer the best quarterback in the NFL.
“Patrick Mahomes has become a mid quarterback, as we like to call it. And I want to take you guys through some of what’s going on right now.
READ MORE: Adele ‘finally ready’ to reveal her truth as she signs huge autobiography dealREAD MORE: Tom Brady makes major career U-turn after Birmingham City and Raiders success
“Now, believe it or not, over the past three seasons, Patrick Mahomes is averaging only 5.8 yards per pass attempt, which is 31st in the NFL. Guess how many teams there are in the NFL, Jay Bell? It’s 32. And he’s 31st. Patrick Mahomes, that team is 16th in offense, it is ridiculous.
“And now what you can say is, ‘Well, you know what, Osi, it’s because he lacks a deep threat, a true speedy receiver’. And that might be true, but the best quarterbacks in the NFL have to find a way to throw the ball with timing and precision.”
Examining some of Mahomes’ recent performances, Umenyiora highlighted the match against the Chargers where the Chiefs faced 3rd-and-9 in the opening quarter – but the quarterback fluffed his lines and failed to deliver the ball to his receiver. He added: “That is what the best quarterbacks in the NFL do. He’s not able to do it, man. Absolute misfire by Patrick Mahomes.”
Referencing another moment from the Eagles clash, the former Giants star added: “And here this past week against the Philadelphia Eagles, you’re going to see Patrick Mahomes drop back, run this play right here, and look at him step back.
“Just a little pressure, pumpfakes, throws the ball deep to a wide open..oh my goodness, what is that? Wide open, nobody’s around. My good friend Jason Bell was a high school quarterback who never threw the ball, and he could have made that throw! Absolutely ridiculous.”
Umenyiora dissected several more plays before reaching his controversial verdict – that Mahomes has declined in his tactical preparation and on-field displays. He said: “I love to see that right there [as a defender] because now Patrick Mahomes is no longer looking for his receivers.
“He’s looking for a lane of escape through and he is no longer the same quarterback who we knew before.
“I no longer know what’s going on with Patrick Mahomes, but when you question me, I can no longer say that Patrick, my homie, is the best quarterback in the NFL. As a matter of fact, he’s not even my homie anymore because I like winners.”
Based on ESPN’s current figures, just two quarterbacks boast superior ratings to Mahomes at present: Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff.
But Chiefs fans won’t examine statistics and rankings; instead, they will focus on their disappointing form and troubling beginning to the 2025 campaign.
The former Super Bowl contenders face their next challenge with an away game against Umenyiora’s old club, the Giants, where Mahomes will be eager to address his shortcomings and change people’s minds of his credentials this season.
