Patrick Mahomes' Play in Return From Injury Evaluated by NFL Exec, Chiefs QB 'Ripping the Ball'

Any questions about Patrick Mahomes' returning to his peak form coming off a torn ACL appear to have been put to rest based on how he has played through the first two weeks for the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, one NFL personnel evaluator described Mahomes as "ripping the ball" right now.

"His ability to drive throws — I thought he was ripping the ball," the evaluator said.

Fowler noted the general feeling about Mahomes throughout the league right now is that he may not be "all the way back" at this point, but "he's not far off."

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There did look to be some rust in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes finished 15-of-27 for 184 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, but it didn't matter because the rushing attack and defense were so good they cruised to a 31-10 victory.

Sunday's 33-30 overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts looked much more like vintage Mahomes. He went 32-of-47 for 382 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

It was Mahomes' first game with at least 350 passing yards and three touchdowns since Week 1 of the 2022 season when he had 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 44-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

The 2022 season was the last time Mahomes won the NFL MVP award. It's perhaps not a coincidence that was also their best rushing year in the previous four years by EPA (0.02 EPA per rush).

Adding Kenneth Walker III in the offseason has revitalized the Chiefs' ground game. He leads the NFL with 290 rushing yards, and the team is tied with the Baltimore Ravens for best EPA per rush (0.17) through two weeks.

Having a running game that opposing defenses have to respect makes life so much easier for Mahomes. He has taken advantage of it thus far and making the Chiefs look like they are once again a Super Bowl contender in the AFC.