As Super Bowl LIX rapidly approaches, former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has taken aim at Patrick Mahomes’ in-game behavior, making a pointed remark about the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback’s tendency to “flop” in critical moments.
Mahomes is preparing to lead the Chiefs against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night in New Orleans.
Kansas City’s journey to a third consecutive Super Bowl has been filled with controversy, particularly surrounding officiating decisions that some fans believe unfairly benefited the team.
Questionable penalty calls in the Chiefs’ playoff victories over the Houston Texans and Buffalo Bills have sparked widespread frustration, culminating in some fans declaring they will “boycott” the big game.
While conspiracy theories about the NFL “rigging” games for the Chiefs have gained traction, Gruden dismissed that notion during a recent appearance on Barstool Live in New Orleans.
“I don’t agree with it,” Gruden said of the idea that the games are “rigged” in KC’s favor. “The Chiefs are just better than the teams they play.”
However, while defending the Chiefs’ success, the former Raiders and Buccaneers coach took a major swipe at Mahomes’ style of play.
“Mahomes is a notorious flop artist at times,” Gruden said. “But why wouldn’t you be? I see it in the NBA every night. They’re trying to get calls.”
Mahomes’ tendency to try and draw penalties has not gone unnoticed.
During the Chiefs’ Divisional Round win over the Texans, ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman criticized Mahomes for appearing to deliberately slow down while heading out of bounds, seemingly attempting to bait officials into throwing a flag.
“You see, rather than just run out of bounds, he slows down,” Aikman said during the broadcast. “That’s been the frustration. I get it, I understand. That’s been the frustration of these defensive players around the league.”
Even Mahomes himself acknowledged that he may have overdone it on that particular play.
“I would say the only one I felt like I probably did too much was the one on the sideline where I didn’t get the flag,” Mahomes admitted on 96.5 The Fan last month.
With officiating already a hot-button issue heading into Sunday’s showdown, the hope is that the Super Bowl remains free of controversy.
What are your thoughts on Gruden’s comments? … More importantly, what’s your prediction for the game???
