The Kansas City Chiefs star has been mocked for his "dad bod" but his trainer Bobby Stoupe says his physique helps him succeed in the NFL.

Stoupe, who has been working with Mahomes since he was a child, told PEOPLE: "I'll be the first to tell you that I think an NFL quarterback should have at least 14 per cent body fat. It's not from an unhealthy standpoint, but from a force absorption standpoint. You have to be able to take contact.

"We know there's just not a lot of quarterbacks in the Hall of Fame that have a six-pack and there's a reason for that. We've got to find that fine line of performance and health. And the aesthetic part is a different conversation.

"I don't need him to look like a model because the way he chooses to play requires a certain type of physicality, and that physicality needs more body fat. That is a core belief that I do have for him."

Mahomes has won the Super Bowl three times and Stoupe explained how the star takes an individualistic approach to stay on top of his fitness.

The trainer said: "He's one of the most unique athletes that we've ever seen in any sport in all time and he's got to focus on being Patrick.

"If he were to try to emulate Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, we wouldn't have the benefit of watching someone like him play this game on this level."

Stoupe added: "And no matter how many rings he wins, no matter how many MVPs, every game we can identify things that he can do better.

"There's unlimited opportunity to improve."