Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is the NFL’s reigning MVP and Super Bowl champion, honors he has won twice in his career.
But former Pro Bowl wide receiver Cris Collinsworth believes New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones’ game resembles the two-time Most Valuable Player’s. And, as he predicted, he is catching heat for it.
“That’s a hot take if I’ve ever heard one,” tweeted @ALLBALL_USA on August 22.
Ex-Pro Bowler Roasted for Giants’ Daniel Jones, Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Comp
Cris Collinsworth ‘Should Be Drug Tested’
“People are going to scream when they hear this. He plays the game a little like Patrick Mahomes,” Colinsworth said on Fox Sports 1’s “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd on August 22. “When you watch him play, it’s not the first read that he typically beats you on. He is somebody who wants to pull the ball down if it’s not there immediately. He wants to create some space.”
With more to the quote than just the comparison, it is clear that Collinsworth was making a loose comparison based on both players’ ability to extend a play.
But Mahomes is one of the best to do it.
“Patrick Mahomes is at the peak of his powers right now, and it’s amazing to see.”@bykevinclark is a big fan of QB1 ⏰ pic.twitter.com/KuBcFlRpuG
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 31, 2022
“’Now here’s a guy’ that should be drug tested periodically for the remainder of his life,” tweeted @EdRok823.
Patrick Mahomes a Different Type of Scrambler Than Daniel Jones
Mahomes led the league with 5,250 passing yards last season. That is just 383 fewer yards than Jones has thrown for over the last two years combined. But Jones is heading into the second year under head coach and QB whisperer, Brian Daboll, who already elevated him to the levels we saw last season.
Jones is also a talented scrambler, though his intentions are often to run whereas Mahomes looks to throw more often. The Giants quarterback rushed for 708 yards last season – just 31 fewer yards than Mahomes has had in the last two years combined.
He is good at it, too, finding the end zone seven times. And that isn’t to say Jones doesn’t extend plays to throw.
But he was a strong runner with the ball in his hands.
DANIEL &$%8#!* JONES
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/5TKIDur3as
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 1, 2023
“If this is true than [sic] Zach Wilson is the Mormon Michael Vick,” tweeted @_TheKendrick about Collinsworth’s comments.
Jones did inch closer to Mahomes on the contract rankings, inking a four-year, $160 million contract this offseason. Mahomes ranks first on the list at $450 million. Jones’ contract ranks ninth in the NFL in total value. It ties division rival Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills at $160 million.
Giants fans understandably viewed the comparison more favorably.
Chiefs Stars Teaming Up in ‘Fastest Growing’ Craze
Mahomes and teammate Travis Kelce have a strong bond on the field.
They are set to join forces on an entirely different venture, investing in a Kansas City-based pickleball “concept bar” called “Chicken N Pickle, per Fox 4KC.
“North Kansas City-based Chicken N Pickle recently secured $10 million in debt financing to support its national expansion plans,” wrote Leslie Collins of the Kansas City Business Journal on August 22. “But what it didn’t initially mention are some of the star-studded investors involved, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce.”
The budding chain already has eight locations across five states with several more coming soon, per their official website.
Pickleball is “often described as a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong and badminton, grew nearly 40 percent between 2019 and 2021,” per Juno DeMelo of The New York Times in September of 2022.
This is not the first time the two have teamed up for a non-football activity. They teamed up for “The Match”, a golf showdown against Golden State Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson in June.
The Chiefs duo won that event.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
