Patrick Mahomes: Trevor Lawrence passed ‘the true test of a competitor’

Absolutely nothing went right for Trevor Lawrence in the first 25 minutes of his first ever NFL playoff game. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ second-year quarterback threw interceptions on four of the team’s first six possessions against the Los Angeles Chargers, burying the team in a huge hole.

But facing a 27-0 deficit that was due largely to his miscues, Lawrence was undeterred Saturday night. The 23-year-old bounced back with four touchdown passes as the Jaguars roared back to win 31-30.

The never-say-die performance from Lawrence impressed just about everyone who watched, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“That’s the true test of a competitor,” Mahomes told reporters Tuesday. “Whenever stuff is not going your way, to still pull your team to find a way to win. He’s done it every level. High school, college, and now the NFL. He’s taken that team and they’ve turned it around fast.”

Mahomes has never had a four-interception game, but he did throw picks on the Chiefs first two drives after halftime in Super Bowl LIV, clearing the way for the San Francisco 49ers to take a 10-point leading the fourth quarter. He responded by leading Kansas City on three straight touchdown drives to win the game.

The 27-point comeback orchestrated by Lawrence wasn’t the only thing that impressed Mahomes. He also thought Lawrence’s postgame excursion to Waffle House was a good idea.

“That’s a baller move, man,” Mahomes said. “Maybe if we win this one, I’ll think of somewhere to go that can match that.”