First-year starter Patrick Mahomes was selected to the AP All-Pro team, which is a good indication that he will win the MVP award.
Even before now, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a heavy favorite to be this year’s MVP of the National Football League. But now that he has officially been selected to the 2018 AP All-Pro team at the quarterback position, beating out Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, it seems even more likely that Mahomes will be taking home the hardware.
It’s no surprise that Mahomes was chosen for the All-Pro team given the gaudy numbers he put up this season, his first as Kansas City’s starting quarterback. But Brees, who had an outstanding year for New Orleans at the age of 39, was very much in the discussion as well. Mahomes and Brees were first and second in total QBR this season, finishing at 81.6 and 80.8 respectively.
Brees threw for 3,992 yards this season, with 32 touchdowns and just five interceptions, leading the Saints to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. But from a statistical standpoint, he was outdone by Mahomes in a big way.
Kansas City’s 23-year-old threw for 5,097 yards, second highest in the league behind only Ben Roethlisberger, and an incredible 50 touchdowns (no other quarterback in the NFL even broke 40). His only downfall was his 12 interceptions, which stands out significantly over Brees’ five.
Nevertheless, Mahomes and the Chiefs ran wild on the AFC for much of the season, and they finished with the No. 1 overall seed in the conference with a 12-4 record.
Both players were very deserving to be in the All-Pro discussion, but it’s difficult to argue with the outstanding numbers Mahomes put up this season. After this All-Pro selection, Mahomes has seemingly inched even closer to being named the NFL MVP, as many people expect.
However, he might still have to edge out Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who was the only unanimous All-Pro selection.