Chiefs' Joe Bleymaier Praises Mahomes' Toughness Under Pressure, Stresses Importance of OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs pass game coordinator Joe Bleymaier took time during a recent press conference to reflect on the challenges quarterback Patrick Mahomes faced last season—particularly when dealing with heavy pressure from opposing defenses.
“Patrick stood tall in the pocket and delivered countless tough throws,” Bleymaier said. “Looking back over the entire season, our respect for him only grew. The way he handled pressure and kept his composure was incredible. Protection often gets the spotlight, but it really takes execution at all three levels to make those big plays happen.”
Mahomes was sacked 36 times last season—more than any other year in his career—highlighting issues along the offensive line, especially at left tackle. Bleymaier emphasized that offseason training activities (OTAs) are essential for building chemistry across the offense, not just for linemen, but for receivers as well.
“This part of the year is huge for syncing up,” he explained. “The deeper the route, the more timing matters. Every receiver runs their routes a little differently—different angles, speeds, and break points—so it’s about Mahomes getting in rhythm with each of them. We want our receivers running full-speed routes, and we want Pat to trust that timing.”
The importance of pocket stability and receiver timing was underscored during Super Bowl LIX, where Mahomes was under near-constant pressure from the Philadelphia Eagles. He was sacked six times and threw two rare interceptions, resulting in a performance that didn’t reflect his usual dominance.
As the Chiefs prepare for the upcoming season, their focus is clear: improve protection, fine-tune route timing, and continue leaning on Mahomes’ unmatched poise under pressure.