San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans was a Pro-Bowl caliber linebacker in his day, so he’s seen a few elite gunslingers at the quarterback position.

None of them are like Patrick Mahomes though.

The former Texas Tech quarterback now residing in Kansas City is in a league of his own, according to Ryans, using his elite arm talent to make a pass from anywhere on the field.

“He’s a man in his own category,” Ryans said. “I think just with a different arm angles and different ways that he’s able to throw the ball, I haven’t seen anybody like that, I’ve never played against anyone like him.”

Coordinators typically try to flush the QBs out of the pocket, and get them on the run where they can make the most mistakes. Not Mahomes. It doesn’t matter where he’s throwing the ball from, he can make you pay.

“He can make any throw on the field no matter where he is. If he’s moving to his left, moving to his right, it really doesn’t matter. Sometimes you want to, you know force guys one way or the other. But this guy here really doesn’t matter. He can side arm and he can throw wherever he wants to. So he definitely is a different beast all in of itself,” Ryans added.

A team is only as good as its head coach, and the Chiefs have a really good one in Andy Reid.

Ryans actually played under Reid during the coach’s final year with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012. While the former linebacker only got to spend one season with him, his admiration couldn’t be stronger, praising Reid’s attention to detail the most Thursday afternoon.

(Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)

“That’s one thing Andy has always been, he’s always been a master of the details, the finest details and no ambience covering those things. So that’s what makes them stand out amongst other teams,” Ryans said. “Every position, every step of the route, every angle with the footwork or how they’re running their routes and the precision of the running game…everything’s got to be done with details. That’s one thing I always remember, I’ve been with coach Reid for one year, he was all about the details and the precision of every single rep.”

The 49ers will have the tough task of dealing with the dynamic duo Sunday afternoon, already down a few starters on the defensive side of the ball. One of the biggest could be former Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, dealing with a groin strain that has sidelined him to start the week. Aside from Ward, defensive tackles Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, CB Emmanuel Moseley and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair have been missing for an extended period of time.

Despite their injuries, Ryans has full confidence in his defense, hoping a few young guys step up in the spotlight.

“Whoever’s out there they have to play, right,” Ryans exclaimed. “It’s never quite how you want it with injuries and that’s all across the league. It’s not our team, it’s all teams deal with those things. So you have to make the best of what you have. And with that it’s a great opportunity for backup guys. They have to see it as ‘man this is my opportunity to go shine’. And are they ready for that challenge? Are they going to step up to the plate and make plays? You really don’t know until the young guys are thrust into that moment.”

To watch DeMeco Ryans’ full press conference, click here.

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