Steelers' Cameron Heyward Believes Chiefs Hero Patrick Mahomes Absolutely Is Overhyped At Times

The Pittsburgh Steelers' front office has put a lot of work into rebuilding the team, particularly the offense since Ben Roethlisberger retired. They feel like the time is now and are confident they have assembled an excellent group that can finally win playoff games again. 

But there are some serious obstacles every season, ones you can count on to be challenging. When Roethlisberger played, one was Tom Brady. The road to the Super Bowl always seemed to go through Foxborough. Now that Brady has retired, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has slid into the role. 

The Chiefs, with Mahomes, have played in six consecutive AFC Championship games and four Super Bowls. Mahomes has helped Kansas City win three Super Bowls and was named the MVP in each game. He has been named the NFL's MVP twice and selected to six Pro Bowls, one for every season since becoming a starting quarterback in 2018. 

While no one can take away his success or talent, people can take exception with how fans over-inflate the things he does. Steelers captain and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward certainly does. He was recently asked on an episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, by his co-host Hayden Walsh, who is the most overrated quarterback.  

"I don't think this player is overrated, but I think we hype up some of the craziest things. I think a behind-the-back pass from Pat Mahomes is the most unneeded thing I've seen in my lifetime. We act like he has discovered America for the first time. Pat Mahomes is a great talent, don't get me wrong, but we act like some of these quarterbacks throw passes that weren't done 20, 30 years ago. Dan Marino was throwing balls behind his back, but we act like Pat Mahomes is the first to ever do it."

Heyward is referring to Mahomes' behind-the-back pass to his superstar tight end, Travis Kelce. The two managed to pick up several yards on a play that got a lot of attention because it was reportedly improvised. 

A student of the game, Heyward is the son of Craig "Ironhead" Heyward. He and his brother Connor Heyward, also a Steeler, grew up in the world of professional football. He knows that players like Dan Marino, the former Miami Dolphins star, are truly innovators in the game. 

"I can't stand that we're all creatures of the moment. We forget about the history of the game. It is beyond me that we hype up the dumbest things and say, 'Oh my gosh, this guy just threw a behind-the-back pass for two yards.' Wow. Ok, that's a great play, but let's move on."

Heyward was clear that he was not at all knocking Mahomes' talent or ability. This isn't as much a reflection on him as on NFL fans who live solely in the moment, rather than appreciating the game's progression. 

Steelers Have The Greatest Pass Of All-Time

Mahomes and Brady have done amazing things in their respective careers, but they need to give a nod to one of the OGs, Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw, the Steelers quarterback in the 1970s, helped them win four Super Bowls. He was the first NFL quarterback to win three and four Lombardi Trophies, cementing his place as one of the best. 

NFL Films listed their "Greatest Throws of All-Time" and Bradshaw's pass to wide receiver Lynn Swann in Super Bowl X as the greatest. The factors that were determined included the difficulty of the pass; it was a deep pass that sailed through the air for more than 60 yards and was placed on the shoulder of a well-covered Swann. They also considered that it was made on the biggest stage, and the Steelers faced the other best team in the league, the Dallas Cowboys, who had put together a relentless pass rush. It also contributed to the Steelers winning their second Super Bowl title. 

What do you think about how modern fans view players like Mahomes? Click to comment below.

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