Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is the type who is always looking to improve his game. While he’s been able to get together with individual receivers and throw at times, he’s still not able to meet with all of his teammates for a big group throwing session because of social distancing guidelines. So what has the star quarterback been doing to keep busy besides working out and attending team meetings?
During Mahomes’ recent Instagram live video chat with Steelers legend Troy Polamalu, he revealed that one of the things he’s been doing is working on his footwork. It’s a part of Mahomes game that was often criticized when he entered the NFL out of Texas Tech. To this day it remains an area he continues to work on.
“For me, it’s something I work on anyways — this offseason has really emphasized that — I’ve always worked on footwork,” Mahomes said. “Footwork to me is the most important thing. You can have every different type of throwing motion, you can have every different type of arm strength.”
Polamalu interrupted Mahomes to tell him that it made a ton of sense that he has placed an emphasis on footwork given the way he plays the game. Mahomes expanded to explain that he also works on the off-platform throws that require less footwork too.
“And so, I work on all of my footwork,” Mahomes continued. “I believe the fundamentals and working in the pocket and doing that type of stuff. And then I work on all the off-platform stuff I do. Obviously, you can’t throw with a lot of different receivers, but you can work on your feet, and take the drops and do that stuff. It’s boring, but that stuff adds up. Whenever you get ready, that’s what you need, it’s your footwork to be right. That’s stuff that you can work on at the house, in the backyard, the front driveway and whatever it is.”
Mahomes also noted this something that young quarterbacks who are at home can do in place of practicing with teammates. It may be considered to be the boring stuff, but if the most exciting quarterback in football thinks it pays off in the end, everyone looking to become the next great quarterback should follow suit.
