13 June 2023 , 19:24
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Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes has named Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller as the three toughest opponents he has faced in his NFL career.
Since arriving in the league in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Mahomes has gone from strength to strength. The dynamic quarterback is a two-time NFL MVP as well as a two-time Super Bowl MVP after leading the Chiefs to glory in both Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers and February’s Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mahomes possesses immense talent that he has put to the test against a number of impressive defenders in his six-year career. When asked to name the three toughest opponents he has faced in the NFL, the 27-year-old picked a trio of players all set to go into the Hall of Fame when it is all said and done.
“In my career, Aaron Donald, one,” Mahomes told Complex Sports. “That’s out the gate. Jalen Ramsey, especially these last few years has always been a dog.
“And Von Miller. I’m glad he’s not in my division anymore.”
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Mahomes’ decision to name Donald first is unsurprising. The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is heralded by many as perhaps the greatest defensive player in the sport’s history.
Mahomes also named Ramsey, the three-time First-Team All-Pro cornerback. Ramsey, who was surprisingly traded to the Miami Dolphins earlier this offseason to save cap space, was a key part of the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2021.
Jalen Ramsey was traded to the Miami Dolphins after spending four years with the Los Angeles Rams (Lynne Sladky/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Finally, Mahomes named defensive end Von Miller who has tallied 123.5 sacks across his illustrious career. Miller joined the Buffalo Bills a year ago and helped position the AFC East franchise as genuine Super Bowl contenders in 2022 before he tore his Achilles.
Remarkably, all three players named by Mahomes were teammates on the Rams defense that helped the franchise win Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2022, Donald and Miller were rushing the passer while Ramsey was covering the opposing team's best wide receiver.
While Mahomes never faced the 2021-22 Rams, it is clear he deeply respected the talent the roster possessed. Los Angeles went 12-5 before running through the playoffs and ousting the Bengals to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Donald and the Rams will not face Mahomes this season, although the Chiefs do face Ramsey and Miller. Mahomes will take on Ramsey’s Miami Dolphins in Week 9 before hosting Miller’s Bills in Week 14 at Arrowhead Stadium.