The Kansas City Chiefs are keeping it in the family for Patrick Mahomes, bringing in his brother for their rookie minicamp.
Why was Patrick Mahomes in Grapevine?
No, the Chiefs are not giving Jackson Mahomes a tryout. The team has invited Mahomes’ half-brother, Graham Walker, a tight end out of Brown and then Rice, in for the rookie portion of the offseason program. The decision drew much attention as the Chiefs announced their rookie minicamp roster.
Patrick Mahomes’ Brother Gets Rookie Minicamp Invite From Chiefs
Chiefs Bring in Patrick Mahomes’ Brother
Measuring in at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Walker caught 24 passes for 252 yards for the Rice Owls in 2024. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Walker as his TE122.
Generational Recess Athlete, now taking over the gridiron. @GrahamwalkerVT is a tight end you can’t ignore,” Equity Sports, the prospect’s agent, posted on X on April 29. “2023 Frederick ‘Fritz’ Pollard ‘19 Award. All-Ivy (Phil Steele) Third Team (2023), Fourth Team (2022).”
The Chiefs, of course, still have Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, etc. But this is still a cool storyline as the offseason program begins.
Rival Exec Sends Clear Message About Patrick Mahomes After Chiefs’ Decision
The Mahomes-Walker clan will not be on the field together for rookie minicamp, with the Chiefs Super Bowl champion chasing another title, not a roster spot.
The Chiefs addressed their left tackle position in two ways this offseason, signing Jaylon Moore and drafting Josh Simmons. That is the Chiefs’ presumed hope, and having Mahomes at quarterback surely helps.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando called the Chiefs’ LT spot “troublesome.’
Sando also relayed accounts from anonymous executives, who took note of the Chiefs’ double-dip. KC’s moves were largely understandable.
“I think they are raising the floor and do not need to be great at that position,” one exec said, per Sando on May 1. “The quarterback makes up for so much deficiency up front. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady made up the difference for their teams too.”
Mahomes absorbed a career-high 36 sacks in 2024. That was the 12th-most and the 21st-most per game in the NFL in 2024.
Pro Football Focus ranked the Chiefs’ pass blocking 17th last season, and their left tackles graded out the worst, even behind maligned right tackle Jawaan Taylor. The Chiefs have also had the All-Pro and/or Pro Bowl players on the interior.
It was clear which position they needed to address.
Simmmons is a champion, winning the title with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024. Moore has mostly been a backup in his career. It would not be surprising to see the youngster usurp the veteran before the final whistle in 2025.
Patrick Mahomes Doing His Part
Like any good leader, Mahomes appears to be shouldering his share of the burden to reduce the offensive inefficiency that plagued them in 2024. Despite still touting his dad bod heavily heading into the campaign, Mahomes has been gym-bound this offseason.
The three-time Super Bowl champ, six-time Pro Bowler, and two-time All-Pro has been active since soon after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
In addition to a career-worst sack rate, Mahomes also labored to the lowest rushing success rate he has had since the 2021 season, per Pro Football Reference. Entering the campaign with a slimmer physique could help bring back some of his rushing explosiveness this coming season.
