Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes turns 30 next week, but the milestone comes amid a testing start to his ninth NFL season. Three days before his birthday, Mahomes will lead the Chiefs into GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for a high-stakes clash with the Philadelphia Eagles—a rematch of February’s Super Bowl LIX.
Mahomes Nears 30th Birthday as Chiefs Seek Spark After Opening Loss
It is not a game Mahomes is eager to revisit. Instead, he is urging his teammates and fans to look ahead and summon the energy needed to reset their campaign after a disappointing opener.
“We have a big one coming up on Sunday. We are at home, baby! We’ve picked up some lessons lately. We just need to turn things around, and fast,” Mahomes said after Tuesday’s practice.
Rare Pressure Point
Since his 2017 debut, he has never lost three consecutive games. That streak is now under threat. Having fallen to Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, the Chiefs face the possibility of another setback against an Eagles team that already denied them a third straight championship in February.
“I never let that get into my head,” Mahomes said of the looming record. “The stats are going to be there either way. What motivates me is doing my part to help the team—and that is what matters.”
Familiar Struggles
Friday night’s 27-21 defeat to the Chargers exposed familiar problems. Kansas City, dominant in close contests a year ago with a 12-0 record in one-score games, slipped at the first hurdle in 2025. The offense sputtered, while the defense struggled to contain Herbert’s rhythm.
Injuries and suspensions are adding to the challenge. Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy was sidelined against Los Angeles, and second-year receiver Rashee Rice remains out for another five games. That leaves Mahomes without two of his key weapons in the passing game.
“We have to match the energy or go a step further if we’re going to have better results,” Mahomes admitted. “It’s early in the season, but we need momentum right away. The Chargers game is behind us, so is the Super Bowl loss. Now, we regroup and bring the energy.”
Glimpses of Magic
Even in defeat, Mahomes produced flashes of his trademark brilliance. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 57 yards and another score. At one point, he managed to launch a strike through three defenders while falling to the turf— perhaps a reminder that we should never count him out yet.
Highest Earner Off the Field
Beyond the field, Mahomes continues to dominate financially. Forbes this week named him the NFL’s highest earner, thanks largely to endorsements, licensing, and business ventures rather than his playing salary alone.
The magazine reported that the league’s top 10 earners will collect a combined $571 million in 2025, down 18% from last year’s record but still the second-highest total since the rankings began. Mahomes sits atop the list, joined by teammate Travis Kelce and Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons as the only non-quarterbacks in the top 10.
For Mahomes, though, records and rankings matter little compared to restoring momentum for the Chiefs. As he enters a new decade of life, his focus is firmly fixed on ensuring Kansas City gets back to winning ways.
Main Image: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters via Imagn Images
