Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey recently took a subtle jab at Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, offering a mix of critique and praise while reflecting on their recent matchup. The Ravens faced off against the Chiefs in the NFL season opener last Thursday, with Kansas City securing a 27-20 victory. On the latest episode of his podcast Punch Line, Humphrey discussed the challenges of playing against Mahomes and what makes him such a difficult opponent to face.
Humphrey, who has struggled to secure a win at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, admitted that beating the Chiefs is no easy task. “It felt good to get out there, play some ball. I’ve realized KC’s one of the few stadiums I have not won a football game in. I think I’ve got three more,” he said, referencing his record against the Chiefs.
He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against Kansas City and particularly Mahomes, calling him a unique and talented quarterback. “It’s hard to beat the Chiefs. Very tough to beat the Chiefs. So you wanted to get the dub, but it’s hard to beat Mahomes.”
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In a backhanded compliment, Humphrey highlighted what makes Mahomes such a threat on the field—his unpredictable play style and willingness to take risks. “What makes him very good is he does some pretty wild stuff, which sometimes catches him but a lot of times he doesn’t. He gets away with a lot just ’cause he’s always willing to test it, willing to try it,” Humphrey explained.
But it was his next remark that drew attention, as Humphrey described Mahomes in a somewhat unflattering yet accurate way. “He’s a chubby fast dude. I’m always amazed when he’s outrunning people or juking people in the backfield, getting out of a sack and just launching the ball.”
Humphrey went on to reflect on how grueling the game was and how exhausting it can be to play against a team like Kansas City. “Honestly, to keep it a stack, I be dadgum happy when I finish a practice on two feet, honestly,” he joked. “So, it was good besides freakin’ losing and getting back at 4:00 a.m. after a loss, which makes everything way worse. Other than that man, it’s good to be back playing ball.”
While Mahomes and the Chiefs ultimately walked away with the victory, the Ravens cornerback did play a role in Kansas City’s success. Humphrey was involved in a crucial play late in the game when a blown coverage allowed Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy to slip past him for an easy touchdown. That score, Worthy’s second of the night, sealed the Chiefs’ win and put the game out of reach for the Ravens.
Lamar Jackson, the Ravens’ star quarterback, orchestrated an impressive late-game drive that almost secured a comeback victory for Baltimore. However, the drive fell just short when tight end Isaiah Likely stepped out of the end zone on what would have been the game-tying touchdown as time expired.
Despite the loss, Humphrey’s comments about Mahomes provide insight into the respect NFL defenders have for the Chiefs’ quarterback. Mahomes’ unique combination of mobility, improvisation, and sheer talent continues to frustrate defenders, even seasoned veterans like Humphrey.
For now, the Ravens will regroup and look ahead to their next matchup, while Mahomes and the Chiefs enjoy their early-season momentum.
