Note: This piece was written in advance of the Chiefs’ 40-22 defeat to the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX In his storied career, former Patriots quarterback and current NFL utilityman Tom Brady captured seven Super Bowl titles, three MVPs, and orchestrated game winning drives with the calm of a surgeon in the operating room. As Brady drove off into the sunset, he passed the keys of NFL reign to his chief under-study, Patrick Mahomes. This “passing of the torch” storyline was a field day for Stephen A. Smith and other media sages, but not even the looniest of cronies dared to suggest that the young Mahomes could challenge the GOAT status of Brady.
What we have seen since the torch-passing banter began in 2018 is a mix-tape of ballerina-esque spin moves, soft-touch shovel passes, and a cacophony of yellow flags twirling through the air (against the defense, of course). While each of these have a Mahomey flavor, the Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback has also won three Lombardi Trophies in seven years as the starter, with a chance to accomplish the first three-peat in Super Bowl history. This combination of aura (spin moves, internet infamy, etc.), and formal achievements (Super Bowls, MVPs, etc.), is a dominant bundle that is on pace with Brady’s career.
This isn’t just a grandiose claim—it’s backed up by the numbers. Mahomes is 29 years old right now, with the three Super Bowls and two MVPs to his name. At 29, Brady had three Super Bowls and zero MVPs. From Brady’s age 28 to age 36 seasons, he didn’t win a championship, although he did win two MVPs. That means that what Mahomes has accomplished (three Super Bowls, two MVPs) through his age 29 season is on pace to Brady’s accomplishments (three Super Bowls, two MVPs) through his age 36 season. Often, the end-all for Mahomes-Brady conversations is the longevity of Brady, who played at a Championship-level caliber until his retirement at the ripe age of 45. However, if Mahomes keeps winning Super Bowls over the next several years, then the factors required to obtain the GOAT title could easily be within his grasp.
In addition, Mahomes’ rate stats easily stack up to Brady’s. Mahomes edges Brady in career passer rating, pass yards per game, and completion percentage, and has already doubled Brady’s career rushing output of 1123 yards.
Finally, Mahomes has the intangibles and supporting cast to continue his dominance. He has the esteemed, astute coach in Andy Reid that Brady had in Bill Belichick, and a Brady-esque air of invincibility in the playoffs.
Despite Mahomes’ relative struggles in the last two regular seasons, where he threw a combined 25 interceptions with only around 4,000 yards passing each year, he knows how to win. If he can keep his championship trajectory on pace for the rest of the decade, he could solidify himself as one of two men in the NFL GOAT conversation.
This article also appears in our February 2025 print edition.
