Mental Strength
Many great college quarterbacks possess phenomenal physical gifts but don’t have the mental fortitude to make it in the NFL. We’ve seen the likes of Sam Darnold and Carson Wentz flatter to deceive in recent years. Meanwhile, players like Tom Brady and Kurt Warner shocked the world because of their desire to win (via The Big Lead).

Mahomes cemented his place in the latter category because he is a born winner. Some will scoff at this and point to his Super Bowl defeat against the Bucs. They’ll also note that he didn’t play well against the Bengals in AFC Championship in 2021. But he’s back with a vengeance in his best season yet and that took guts.