The Chiefs have been here before, with a first-round drafted quarterback projected as the future of the franchise.
Todd Blackledge, like Patrick Mahomes, played sparingly as a rookie. After arriving with new coach John Mackovic, Blackledge appeared in four games in 1983. The the idea was to eventually design an offense around the former Penn State star.
So it is with Mahomes, who is off to a blazing start. He owns a 4-0 record, including his lone start last year at Denver, where the Chiefs play on Monday. He also owns an NFL-record 13 touchdown passes in a season’s first three games.