Stephen A. Smith Drops Bombshell: Patrick Mahomes Has ‘Vulnerabilities’ in the Super Bowl

Outspoken sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has never been one to hold back, and ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, he delivered a scorching take on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In a heated segment on First Take, Smith claimed that Mahomes has shown “vulnerabilities” in past Super Bowl performances—raising doubts about his ability to dominate on the NFL’s biggest stage.

“Look, I’m not saying the man ain’t great. He’s phenomenal,” Smith began, his signature voice booming across the studio. “But let’s not sit here and act like he’s invincible in the Super Bowl. The tape don’t lie. We’ve seen him struggle before. We’ve seen defenses rattle him. If the opposing team plays their cards right, Mahomes can be beaten.”

Smith pointed specifically to Mahomes’ Super Bowl LV loss against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he was pressured relentlessly and held to zero touchdowns. “I don’t care who you are—if you’re running for your life the entire game, you’re vulnerable,” Smith argued. “Mahomes got exposed in that Super Bowl. He looked human.”

Even in his victories, Smith noted that Mahomes has had moments of struggle. “Go back to last year’s Super Bowl against the Eagles. First half? Philly was controlling that game. If not for that ridiculous second-half comeback and some questionable calls, who knows what would’ve happened?” he said, referencing the controversial late-game holding penalty that helped seal Kansas City’s win.

Smith’s comments immediately sparked a firestorm on social media, with Mahomes’ supporters quick to push back. “Vulnerabilities? The man has TWO rings and two Super Bowl MVPs,” one fan tweeted. “Find me another QB under 30 with that résumé.” Others pointed out that Mahomes’ resilience, rather than his weaknesses, is what defines him. “You can sack him, pressure him, hit him—but you can’t count him out,” another fan wrote.

Former players also weighed in, with Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez defending Mahomes. “Every great QB has had tough Super Bowl moments. Brady lost three, Montana lost one. What separates them is how they respond, and Mahomes always responds,” Gonzalez said on NFL Live.

Despite the backlash, Smith stood firm on his stance. “Y’all can cry about it all you want,” he fired back on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m just calling it like I see it. Mahomes is elite, but he’s NOT untouchable. This Super Bowl will prove it one way or another.”

The debate has only added more intrigue to the upcoming game, as Mahomes now faces added pressure to silence his critics. With the whole world watching, will he rise to the occasion once again—or will Smith’s bold prediction be proven right?

One thing is certain: every move Mahomes makes on Super Bowl Sunday will be under the microscope. And if there’s one thing we know about Patrick Mahomes, it’s that he thrives when the stakes are at their highest.