Patrick Mahomes runs like no other quarterback in the NFL. His unique gait has drawn comparisons from fans and analysts alike. He looks like he’s holding a beer or squeezing into skinny jeans. But this odd style is a calculated tactic behind one of the league’s most elusive runners. Mahomes himself admits, “It doesn’t look the prettiest, so I think people think I’m slow. It’s kind of deceptive. Sometimes the defense takes bad angles because they think they’re going to catch me faster than they do.” 

University of Memphis biomechanics professor Max Paquette explains Mahomes’ run. His upright torso and short, wide strides create a “stable” platform. And it keeps his vision steady, which helps defenders take bad angles. But this finesse was recently thrown into sharp contrast. During a Week 1 Chiefs game against the Chargers, Mahomes was caught pulling a controversial sideline move. And it didn’t sit well with former NFL player Mark Schlereth.

Schlereth unloaded a furious rant on the Stinkin’ Truth podcast, calling Mahomes’ play “bush league.” He laid out the scene clearly: “Jordan Love was fighting for a first down. His shoulders were squared up the entirety of the time, and he had to run somebody over to get that first down. Patrick Mahomes was four yards beyond the first down marker…and then – Patrick Mahomes, who started a pull-up and turn his shoulders from facing the defensive back to the sideline, indicating that, hey man, the run is over. I’ve got the first down. I’m giving up.” But instead of slowing down, Mahomes did the opposite. 

Schlereth described, “Patrick Mahomes turned his shoulders, started tiptoeing to the sideline. And when this DB pulled up, then he lowered his shoulder and forearm flipped her flippered his a– on the sideline.” The incident in question happened in the season opener against the Chargers. Mahomes scrambled, gained a first down, and then, instead of stepping out of bounds, suddenly lowered his shoulder and knocked cornerback Donte Jackson to the turf. Mark furiously added, “I am so tired of that Bush League.” He even suggested a solution to stop this “baseball walk.”

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“In my time, there would have been a team meeting if you were playing Patrick Mahomes, and there would have been some frontier justice. We are not going to allow him to capture three extra yards on the sideline when he acts like he’s pulling up and then he scurries off for another three yards. We are going to protect ourselves, and if he gets to the sideline, he’s still in bounds, blow his ass up,” Mark said. The legend also called out the Chiefs’ Kingdom for supporting such acts. 

“If you sit there as a Kansas City fan, you’re disingenuous. You’re lying. You’re full of crap. And you know it because that is garbage…So stop lying to yourself and stop lying to me and everybody else on X because that is garbage – What Patrick Mahomes did was straight up bush league,” Schlereth added. But while the sideline controversy dominates headlines, Mahomes faces another blow just before a crucial Week 2 rematch against the Eagles.

Patrick Mahomes receives bad news about his WR

Star wide receiver Xavier Worthy suffered a dislocated shoulder after a collision with Travis Kelce during the opener. Initially, there was hope Worthy could suit up for the rematch, but the team confirmed he will miss the game. This injury stings especially hard, given the thin receiver room. Rashee Rice is serving a suspension, and Jalen Royals is battling a knee injury. It leaves Mahomes to rely heavily on JuJu Smith-Schuster and Hollywood Brown, who led the receiving corps in Week 1.

Worthy’s speed and deep-threat capability made him a key component in stretching defenses and opening opportunities for Mahomes’ explosive arm. Losing him drastically limits Kansas City’s offensive weapons at a critical moment in the season. Fortunately, his injury doesn’t require surgery. And the Chiefs are optimistic about a quick recovery, with a possible return around Week 3. Still, his absence leaves a glaring hole that the Chiefs must address strategically if they want to take down the Eagles.

With Worthy sidelined, Mahomes must shoulder more of the offensive burden. The spotlight will be bright at Arrowhead Stadium. This injury setback adds to the challenge for Kansas City. And criticism of Mahomes’ sideline tactics has also been heavy. Now, Week 2 becomes crucial for him to prove himself.