Almost half a decade into his NFL career, Patrick Mahome’s GOAT chances are already sparking debate among fans. Obviously, he still has a long way to go to catch up with Tom Brady, who played for over two decades, won seven Super Bowls and led one of the NFL’s greatest dynasties.
But there are already fans pushing Mahomes’ GOAT candidacy, wondering if Mahomes will win Brady as the undisputed best quarterback of all time.
Patrick Mahomes’ GOAT chances are discussed
Of course, such questions should not be taken lightly. Quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, and maybe even Aaron Rodgers are certainly ahead of Mahomes in the pecking order, at least for now.
But what are the odds of Mahomes becoming a GOAT one day, and what does he need to do to make it happen? Let’s explore this question a little more closely.
talent
As far as talent goes, there shouldn’t be any doubt that Mahomes is good enough to one day become the GOAT. His arm strength and athleticism are superior to Brady’s, while his football IQ is not far behind.
While he may never be able to reach the intellectual mastery of the quarterback position in the same way that Peyton Manning and Brady (to a lesser degree) have demonstrated, Mahomes may not need to reach that level to become the GOAT . His arm talent and athleticism far surpass any other quarterback ever considered for the GOAT.
The only question is whether Mahomes can maintain a high level of play as his talents wane with age, something that all all-time greats have managed to do.
encourage teammates
Without question, one of the traits that always sets great quarterbacks of all time apart is their ability to improve the game of those around them. In fairness, Manning had receivers like Marvin Harrison, Joe Montana had Jerry Rice, and Brady was occasionally (though not always) surrounded by elite receivers, including, briefly, Randy Moss.
However, there is no doubt that average quarterbacks would not have achieved the same level of success as Brady or Manning with the same supporting cast.
Granted, Mahomes had the luxury of having Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill around in the early years of his career. These players certainly made Mahomes’ life easier as Kelce entered the discussion among GOAT tight ends, while Hill continued to be an All-Pro player even after leaving Mahomes.
However, keep in mind that early in his career with the Chiefs, Mahomes had to overcome faltering defenses. He has managed to bring his team to a level that will ensure wins for Kansas City regardless of the state of the team’s defense.
award season
Much of the GOAT talk takes place on the awards front. Somehow, Brady ended his career with only three MVPs. But he also finished second or third in the MVP contest six other times, including four years as runner-up. Manning also had five MVPs and four runners-up. Brady was also a 15-time Pro Bowler, leading the league in five times in touchdowns and four times in yards.
Obviously, Mahomes has to match or surpass these types of accolades to be considered a threat and surpass Brady as a GOAT. Of course, at the age of 27, Mahomes already has two MVPs to his name.
He is also a five-time Pro Bowler who has led the NFL in passing touchdowns twice and passing yards once, both accomplished in 2022. But to reach Brady’s accolades, Mahomes still has work to do.
rings
Even more important than winning awards is winning championships. Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVPs, and 10 Super Bowl appearances help set the bar high for Mahomes and everyone else. Winning championships is arguably the most important thing in the GOAT conversation. It’s one of the reasons Brady is the obvious pick for the GOAT over Manning, who only has two Super Bowl rings.
Of course, with two rings already (and two Super Bowl MVPs), Mahomes is well-positioned to one day match or surpass Brady’s seven championships. But just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it will be easy.
Mahomes may have to spend his entire career trying to stay one step ahead of Joe Burrow’s Bengals, Josh Allen’s Bills, Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, Jalen Hurts’ Eagles, and other serious challengers. Quarterbacks like that could help limit Mahomes’ Super Bowl wins, just as Brady had many challengers in his prime.
longevity
If Mahomes is to match or surpass Brady in accolades and championships, he’ll need to demonstrate anywhere near similar longevity. The fact that Brady has been able to maintain a high level of play for over two decades is one of the reasons he stands out from the likes of Manning and Montana. Because of this, he won seven Super Bowls and 15 Pro Bowls.
Needless to say, the jury is still out on whether Mahomes has what it takes to maintain a high level of play for another 10 to 15 years. Remember, Brady has won an MVP and three Super Bowls in his last seven seasons, all after age 38. After age 35, he actually won four Super Bowls. Few athletes in any sport have shown they can, which is another reason Brady stands alone as a GOAT.
Everything is possible
Of course everything is possible; After all, the player picked 199th overall in 2000 became a GOAT. Mahomes undoubtedly has the talent to become the GOAT and has proven he can nurture his teammates the way the greats of all sports can.
He also laid a strong foundation to match or surpass many of Brady’s accomplishments. However, it’s important to remember that the bar is set incredibly high. Mahomes still has a long way to go if he expects to be good enough long enough to make it clear he’s the GOAT and not Brady. But if anyone can, that player is probably Mahomes.
