Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Debuts New Hairstyle for 2025: ‘Win or Lose, It Was Happening’

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for the 2025 NFL season, quarterback Patrick Mahomes is making headlines not just for his on-field prowess but for a bold change in his appearance. The star player has traded his iconic mohawk fade for a sleek crew cut, a decision he says was long overdue.

A Break from Superstition

Mahomes revealed the reasoning behind his new look during a press conference on April 23, 2025. “I’ve wanted to do it for a while, but it was kind of one of those superstitions,” he explained. “I kept winning the Super Bowl, which is a good thing, but I didn’t want to cut the hair while I was doing it.” The quarterback, who led the Chiefs to Super Bowl victories in 2023 and 2024, decided that 2025 was the time for a change, regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl LIX, which saw the Chiefs fall to the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9, 2025. “I told everybody during the season that win or lose, if we win three in a row or if we lose, I’m getting a haircut. That’s enough,” Mahomes said.

The new crew cut marks a departure from the mohawk that became a signature part of Mahomes’ persona since he joined the Chiefs in 2017. Fans first noticed the change in February 2025, when Mahomes appeared with the shorter style at his grandfather’s funeral and later at his daughter Sterling’s fourth birthday party.

A Fresh Start After a Tough Loss

The decision to switch up his hairstyle came after a challenging moment for Mahomes and the Chiefs. The team’s quest for a historic three-peat ended with a loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Mahomes’ barber, DeJuan Bonds, suggested that frustration from the defeat may have played a role in the change. “I just think with the end of the season, frustration maybe, like, ‘You know what, I’m done. It’s time for a new look,’” Bonds told Fox News.

Mahomes himself expressed excitement about the new style, poking fun at his old look. “I’ve looked at some videos from last year, and I can’t believe you guys let me keep that nappy hair for so long,” he joked. “I look way better now with the short hair, so I’ll be keeping this going forward.”

Looking Ahead to 2025

As the Chiefs prepare for training camp, Mahomes’ new hairstyle is just one part of a broader focus on refreshing the team’s approach. The quarterback has spoken about his desire to revitalize the Chiefs’ passing game, which saw a career-low 3,928 yards from him in 2024. “There were opportunities in games for deep shots that I either didn’t take or we missed barely,” Mahomes said. “If we can get back to hitting some of those throws, it opens up the rest of the offense.”

Off the field, Mahomes is also making waves with teammate Travis Kelce. The duo is set to open 1587 Prime Steakhouse in Kansas City, a venture that pays homage to their Chiefs legacy with football-inspired design elements like a stadium tunnel entrance and brass yard-line markers.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

Mahomes’ hairstyle change has sparked buzz among fans, with some humorously linking it to his performance. “New hair, trimmed down, all this talk going around the NFL. It feels personal,” one fan posted on X. Others noted the cultural influence of Mahomes’ old mohawk, which inspired countless young fans to mimic the style. As one X user put it, “Patrick Mahomes’ haircut was based on superstition. Lost to Philly and the hair is gone.”

With the 2025 NFL Draft kicking off on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Chiefs holding the 31st overall pick, Mahomes is focused on leading his team back to the top. Whether it’s with a new haircut or his trademark clutch plays, the quarterback remains a central figure in the Chiefs Kingdom’s pursuit of another Super Bowl.

This article is adapted from a report by KCTV5, published April 23, 2025.