NFL fans have a new obsession: figuring out what Patrick Mahomes was sipping before the Kansas City Chiefs' dramatic overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. The broadcast caught the star quarterback in the locker room, knocking back a bright yellow drink, and the internet immediately went to work.
Some fans joked it looked like limoncello, the Italian lemon liqueur. But a far more practical theory quickly took over social media: pickle juice. The briny shot is a known secret among athletes for staving off muscle cramps, and Mahomes has never been shy about his fondness for it.
"It had to be pickle juice," one fan declared on social media, echoing a sentiment that spread like wildfire across game-day threads. The speculation was so rampant that it nearly overshadowed the game itself — nearly.
Mahomes has actually discussed his pre-game ritual before. Back in 2020, he revealed that he's been drinking pickle juice since high school. "I've drank it since high school, actually, so it's like a little shot. Just got to knock it to the head and not try to taste it as much as possible," he said at the time.
He even explained the reasoning behind the odd habit. "Well, the pickle juice usually is before, like you try to keep you from cramping. I don't know … might have to do with the sodium, I think. They try to keep you from cramping."
Whatever it's doing, it's clearly working. Mahomes put on a show against the Colts, throwing for 382 yards and three touchdowns on 32-of-47 passing, leading the Chiefs to a 33-30 victory on a game-winning field goal in overtime. The win pushed Kansas City to a perfect 2-0 record, and Mahomes' performance was a reminder of why he's the league's most feared quarterback.
The Chiefs' sideline has been a focal point all season, especially with Brittany Mahomes stealing the spotlight in the season opener. But Sunday night, it was Patrick's pre-game beverage that had fans talking.
Mahomes isn't the only athlete to swear by the salty shot. Pickle juice has long been a staple in training rooms across sports, from high school fields to the NFL. It's a quick hit of sodium and electrolytes, and for a quarterback who's constantly moving and throwing, staying hydrated is key.
So, mystery solved? Probably. But that hasn't stopped fans from having fun with it. Some have even suggested that the Chiefs should sponsor a line of Mahomes-branded pickle juice — a move that would surely fly off shelves.
Next up, the Chiefs hit the road to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 3, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET. If Mahomes shows up with his trusty yellow bottle again, you can bet the cameras will find it — and the internet will have plenty to say.
