During last week's game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes made it clear that he was not just playing to win—he was playing to inspire. Mahomes' physicality and aggressive playstyle have added a new dimension to his game, particularly near the sideline, where he has often been content to step out of bounds in the past.

In the second half, Mahomes executed a play-action fake and rolled to his right. Instead of stepping out of bounds to avoid contact, he turned upfield and lowered his shoulder into linebacker Troy Dye, gaining 11 yards. This move not only energized his teammates but also sent a message to the Chargers.

"More than anything, sometimes you've got to do something to jump-start the team," Mahomes said after the Chiefs' 27-21 loss. "I was not in the mood to be running out of bounds."

Later in the same drive, Mahomes continued to showcase his physicality. While scrambling for another first down, he trucked cornerback Donte Jackson before going out of bounds, a decision that fired up the crowd in São Paulo and his teammates alike.

"He's always going to do anything to give us a better chance at winning," right guard Trey Smith said of Mahomes. "He's looking to make a play, and it fires me up. It makes me want to fight harder and protect him harder."

Mahomes' increased aggression has added another layer to his game, particularly near the sideline, where he uses it to his advantage against defenders leery of committing a personal foul or unnecessary roughness penalty. The most surprising part of Mahomes' Week 1 performance—finishing with 258 passing yards, 57 rushing yards, and two touchdowns—is that he punished defenders when near the sideline instead of just going out of bounds.

"We kind of got going on offense in the second half, but it takes everybody," Mahomes said. "We've got to start faster."

Mahomes' physicality and leadership have been a driving force for the Chiefs, and his actions on the field have not gone unnoticed by his coaches.

"It's who he is, his natural leadership," offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said of Mahomes. "He's a fiery competitor. I loved what he did. That's who he is and he made plays."

As the Chiefs prepare for their Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles, Mahomes' aggressive playstyle will undoubtedly be a key factor in their strategy. Whether he's lowering his shoulder into defenders or making quick decisions near the sideline, Mahomes is ready to do whatever it takes to lead his team to victory.

"I always brace for impact," Mahomes said. "I mean, you have to protect yourself. In this last game, I think we just needed the yards. We needed ways to score, especially at that time of the game. That's why I think people highlighted the one I got hit on the side. I really wasn't running out of bounds really the whole second half."

With the season in full swing, Mahomes' ability to balance his aggressive playstyle with self-preservation will be crucial as the Chiefs aim for another deep playoff run.