It was the throw everyone was going to be talking about, the bad miss in a big moment that seemed ready to torpedo a superb season. It was the throw that had seemingly purchased a home in Kansas City, Mo., and laid down roots, preparing to stalk Patrick Mahomes for the next seven months at minimum, through an offseason of nonstop chatter about missed opportunities and legacy-defining moments and immeasurable heartbreak.
Super Bowl LIV. Fourth quarter. Chiefs down 10 to the 49ers with a little more than 12 minutes to play.
Mahomes and his offense needed a big drive, needed points, needed some kind of spark. But an encouraging 52-yard march abruptly ended on third-and-6 when Mahomes' over-the-middle pass was a foot and a half behind receiver Tyreek Hill.
The ball hit Hill's right palm and ricocheted up. Safety Tarvarius Moore dived under it. It was a costly misfire, Mahomes' second interception in as many possessions. That marked only the fourth time in 36 career starts, including postseason, he had thrown multiple picks in one game.
In the Super Bowl no less.
That was the throw everyone was going to be talking about, picking apart, microanalyzing. Until it no longer mattered.
It no longer mattered because 70 minutes later, Mahomes was on a stage with Andy Reid and Roger Goodell, with Clark and Norma Hunt collecting the Lombardi Trophy. And Mahomes was on that stage because in the final 8 minutes of the NFL's 100th season, the Chiefs had scored 21 points and turned a 10-point deficit into a double-digit Super Bowl win. And the Chiefs scored those 21 points because Mahomes lit the wick with his playmaking prowess.
You know the throw that mattered more than that second interception? Of course you do. It played on a loop on social media and NFL Network and ESPN and Fox Sports for much of February.
It was the third-and-15 desperation shot that Mahomes turned into a 44-yard gain. He did so with admirable pocket poise and his rocket-launcher right arm. With the Chiefs' Super Bowl hopes hanging on the edge of a cliff by a fingernail, Mahomes stood strong under pressure, trusted his receiver and his arm strength and heaved the ball 56 yards in the air as DeForest Buckner was hitting him. Hill ran under it.
It was the Chiefs' longest gain of the night and arguably the biggest play in franchise history. It led to a touchdown that pulled them within three points. On the next drive, Mahomes feathered a 38-yard completion up the right sideline to Sammy Watkins that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown _ a Mahomes pass to Travis Kelce.
Big moments. Huge plays. Game-changing. Result-altering. Legacy-defining.
More evidence of how valuable top-tier quarterback play is.
This is the reminder for a long offseason in Chicago that the Bears and their antsy fan base must keep their eyes on the ball. Over the next two months, another cycle of offseason roster replenishing will progress. Starting this week at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, there will be a heightened focus on college prospects plus the early whispers of free-agency rumors.
General manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy will put their heads together to formulate plans. Without question, the Bears will direct their focus on an offense that finished 29th in the league in yards per game (298.6) and 26th in offensive touchdowns (28). Increased stability on the offensive line would help. Finding a reliable tight end or two is a must. Uncovering ways to unlock the running game will be a top priority. All of this matters.
But make no mistake. The Bears' path to becoming a championship contender again hinges on improved quarterback play. They need game-changing, result-altering contributions from the most important position.
Consistently. With regularity.
Mitch Trubisky, Pace has told us, is the undisputed starter heading into 2020 with another chance to revive his career and prove he can be the long-term answer. But the Bears will seek a more protective insurance plan as well.
And whoever winds up taking the bulk of the snaps next season must deliver on the unrelenting demand to make plays when plays are there to be made.
