As Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes insists his 'dad bod' is 'great' for his NFL performance

Patrick Mahomes has made headlines after defending his 'dad bod,' with critics arguing the professional athlete wasn't as physically fit as he has been in previous years.

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback hit back at criticism, saying he has a 'great body' for a quarterback due to the amount of hits taken during games.

In February, a locker room photo of the three-time Super Bowl champion while he was celebrating the team's AFC championship win over Baltimore went viral.

Earlier this week, Patrick admitted in a cover story for the 2024 TIME100 Most Influential People list: 'I definitely have the dad bod a little bit.' 

Patrick Mahomes defended his 'dad bod' amid criticism after the Chiefs' AFC title win in February

The 28-year-old, three-time Super Bowl champion says his body shape helps him take 'hits' better

'I'll also say I have a great body for a quarterback,' the 28-year-old athlete, who shares two children with wife Brittany Mahomes, pointed out.

Patrick showed off his self-proclaimed 'dad bod' again in March, while vacationing at a Los Cabos resort, wearing a straw hat and a blue bathing suit. 

The viral moment sparked a debate about dad bods and the health of athletes, with Patrick not the first elite athlete in the NFL to be accused of having a dad bod.

His teammate, tight end Travis Kelce was pictured in the Bahamas with girlfriend Taylor Swift a few weeks after winning the Super Bowl, with many quick to point out the lack of muscle definition.

It goes without saying that Patrick's dad bod hasn't stopped him from leading the Chiefs to six consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and four Super Bowl appearances, since becoming the team's starting quarterback in 2018.

With quarterbacks usually on the receiving end of body-shaming over their 'dad bod' physique, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the famous dad bods in the NFL, and why sometimes more is well, more.

Josh Allen - Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills quarterback has been the subject of criticism over his diet throughout his career, with football fans taking to social media to share their opinions about the athlete's physique.

The 27-year-old athlete, who is dating actress and singer Hailee Seinfeld, has been on the receiving end of some unkind comments about his off-season body when pictures of NFL player, sans six pack, made the rounds on social media.

'Oh so this is the type of shape Josh Allen's in... Hailee I'm still available, you know, just holla me,' one user tweeted, alongside the snap of the couple in their swimwear.

Josh has openly chatted about his affinity for burgers in the past, and while some criticize, others see him as a source of inspiration.

'Josh Allen might be the most athletic person ever with a dad bod,' one user responded. 

In a 2023 appearance on the Bussin with the Boys podcast, the Bills player declared his favorite burger was not a gourmet affair - but actually from McDonald’s.

Despite being shamed for his frame, Josh, who is known for his arm strength and mobility on the field, and has led the Bills to some  success in their 2023 season.

The signal-caller is enjoying his offseason after an up-and-down performance in 2023, finishing last season with 4,306 yards, 29 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, and a 66.5 completion percentage.

Josh also led the Bills to the playoffs once again before they suffered a postseason defeat to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs.

He's considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league, even beating out 2023 league MVP Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens as the highest-graded quarterback in the NFL.

Josh also has the second-fastest time in the 40-yard dash at 4.75 seconds. 

Josh Allen in 2021 with his then girlfriend Brittany Williams, showcasing his dad bod

The Buffalo Bills quarterback has been the subject of criticism over his diet throughout his career. Pictured here in 2024

Oh so this is the type of shape Josh Allen's in... Hailee i'm still available you know, just holla me 😏 pic.twitter.com/CXijZyXasy

— Daniel ♡ (@TheHaileeWay) July 7, 2023

Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback was the subject of fat-shaming after a shirtless picture of Baker, alongside several NFL stars on vacation, emerged in 2020.

Baker, 29, was snapped with Saquon Barkley while vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, along with fellow NFL stars Sterling Shepard and Alec Ogletree. 

However the image made the rounds online with fans pointing out Baker's lack of six pack.

Saquon hit back at critics, telling TMZ at the time he has the right body type for a quarterback.

'He's a quarterback, he's not supposed to be shredded,' Saquon told the publication at the time.

'We in off-season, he's gonna have time to get his body right,' the running back continued. 'He can throw the ball 80 yards. That's the only thing that matters.'

Baker, who joined the Buccaneer's as a quarterback in March 2023, enjoyed a slew of career highlights, starting from his college football career.

The quarterback won two Burlsworth Trophies, the Heisman Trophy, three conference titles and had even had a rule change named after him, over the rules surrounding college football walk-on and their eligibility when they transfer colleges.

According to the Buccaneers website, Baker was named 2023's Most Improved Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

By the end of the 2023 season, Baker was the second player in Buccaneers history to throw for 4,000+ yards, 25-or-more touchdowns and 10-or-fewer interceptions in a single season, joining Tom Brady's 2022 stats.

Baker Mayfield during the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in February

Baker (seen far left) was snapped with Saquon Barkley while vacationing in Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, along with fellow NFL stars Sterling Shepard and Alec Ogletree

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' quarterback has been the subject of body shaming online in the past 

Eli Manning - New York Giants

The retired NFL star played 16 seasons with the New York Giants until the now 43-year-old retired in 2018.

Eli's dad bod was often the subject of discussion, with the former elite athlete pointing out his physique kept him playing professional sports for 13 years.

In an AP Pro Football Podcast, Eli, 43, responded to a question asked by host Rob Maadi about how he achieves his 'shredded dad bod.'

'I guess I [have] been lifting weights for so long and still stay at it a little bit,' he explained.

The retired NFL star played 16 seasons with the New York Giants until the now 43-year-old retired in 2018

Eli's dad bod was often the subject of discussion, with the former elite athlete pointing out his physique kept him playing professional sports for 13 years

Eli said that having a few extra pounds in the past was beneficial to his career

Eli added that having a few extra pounds in the past was beneficial to his career.

'I used to have to kind of keep some weight on just to take the hits from defensive lineman,' he explained.

Eli responded to a tweet in 2023 from Sportskeeda, after they posted a photo of himself shirtless at the beach alongside his father, former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and brother, Peyton, who was also a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.

'Arch got all the goods of the Manning's DNA,' the publication wrote.

Eli responded, writing: 'They just got me at a bad angle!!'

Despite having to defend his body shape to the masses online, Eli led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, and was named the Super Bowl MVP in both games 

When he retired, Eli ranked seventh in career NFL pass completions (4,895), passing yards (57,023), and passing touchdowns (366), as well as 12th in all-time interceptions thrown (244). 

Mac Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was once known for his dad bod - but has recently shown off his ripped physique

The 25-year-old athlete spent the 2022 NFL offseason working on his conditioning, with the apparent goal to rid himself of his 'dad bod' (Pictured in October 2023)

Michael McCorkle 'Mac' Jones was once known for his dad bod - but has recently shown off his ripped physique.

The 25-year-old Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback spent the 2022 NFL offseason working on his conditioning, with the apparent goal to rid himself of his 'dad bod.'

His teammate, receiver Kendrick Bourne, commented on his transformation at the time, saying Mac was in: 'The best shape of his life.'

'He looks really good. His stomach is gone,' he told ESPN.

'When you're a rookie, you just don't know it until you go through it for a year. So he's definitely a lot more in shape than he ever was, just dominating in conditioning.' 

Mac set the record for the highest completion rate percentage in a debut by a rookie in the first match  after drafted by the New England Patriots in 2021.

He was the only rookie quarterback to starter for the  Patriots in the 2022 Season too, and was  considered one of the best drafts by the Patriots in recent years.