Mahomes told AOL in 2019 that the hairstyle was the result of a friendly bet with a buddy when he was younger. They each grew out their hair and wanted to see who would go the longest before finally cutting it. “As I grew it out, I realized that I actually liked it a lot,” Mahomes told AOL Sports. “So, I kept it going.”

Whether or not the new look is simply a result of growing weary of the mohawk or is part of a grander plan of a new era for Mahomes, the Chiefs’ shot-caller appears to be shedding his old skin and transforming into a new year. Stay tuned to see if Mahomes changes his mind and regrows his iconic hair or rocks his fresh look into the new season.