Years after one of the most franchise-altering decisions in NFL history, former Kansas City executive and current Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi has shed light on how the Chiefs quietly locked onto Patrick Mahomes long before the 2017 NFL Draft, explaining that the organization identified Mahomes as their target early in the scouting process and made a conscious effort to keep their intentions hidden.
How the Kansas City Chiefs Used Misdirection to Secure Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft
While speaking on “The Schrager Hour,” Borgonzi detailed how Brett Veach became fixated on Mahomes’ talent, and that level of conviction stemmed from early evaluations led by Veach himself, who stumbled upon Mahomes’ tape while scouting another prospect. What followed was a relentless internal push to convince head coach Andy Reid of the quarterback’s potential.
“He [Brett Veach] started to see this quarterback, like, wow, look at this throw, look at this throw. know, [Brett] Veach is always always big with the videos and stuff on his phone. So he starts filming it, starts shooting it over to Andy, and, Andy’s probably like, dude, it’s May right now, slow down. But he was relentless with it,” Borgonzi said, highlighting how early belief turned into organizational consensus.
With Mahomes firmly in their plans, the Chiefs knew secrecy would be key. As draft night approached and trade rumors began to swirl, Kansas City deliberately created a smokescreen to mislead rival teams.
“But we pretty much knew, I think during the fall that we were going with the pick. The night of the draft was just, we’re all in pins and needles just trying to get up there. And then we finally found a trade partner with Buffalo at 10. And, I think we may, because there was some rumors that we were trying to trade up and I think we might’ve leaked out that we were trading up for a linebacker that night,” he added.
That calculated leak helped divert attention, allowing the Chiefs to move up from No. 27 to No. 10 in a deal with the Buffalo Bills and secure their future franchise quarterback without interference.
From a 2017 NFL Draft Gamble to a Kansas City Chiefs Dynasty Cornerstone
The move, which cost Kansas City massive draft capital, quickly proved to be one of the most impactful decisions in modern NFL history. After sitting behind Alex Smith for a season, Mahomes took over in 2018 and transformed the Chiefs into perennial contenders.
Since then, he has delivered elite production, multiple MVP-caliber seasons, and three Super Bowl titles, validating the front office’s early conviction and aggressive strategy.
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While Mahomes’ legacy is already secure, the focus now shifts to his return from a late-season ACL injury suffered in 2025. Encouragingly, both the field general and head coach Andy Reid have expressed optimism about his recovery, with Mahomes reportedly making steady progress ahead of the 2026 season.
Kansas City has also prepared for all scenarios by adding depth at quarterback, ensuring stability while their superstar works his way back to full fitness. The Chiefs will once again be judged by championship expectations. And if history is any indication, the same bold decision-making that landed Mahomes in 2017 could continue to shape their future success.
