Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes? Bill Belichick finally settles the debate over who is the real GOAT
The NFL mastermind’s new book will leave no stone unturned and no cage unshaken.
Bill Belichick is breaking his legendary silence-and ruffling some feathers-in his new book The Art of Winning, which hit shelves Tuesday. The former Patriots coach, who boasts a record eight Super Bowl rings, dives deep into the high-stakes world of elite quarterbacks, and yes-he’s got thoughts on both Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.
In a rare bit of “controversial” honesty, Belichick kicks things off by refusing to crown just one quarterback king. “Brady and Patrick Mahomes are both really good,” he writes, teasing his longtime friend and rival Andy Reid, who might argue Mahomes is the greatest ever. “Controversial, I know.”
What sets these two apart, according to Belichick? Humility in the face of success. He recalls a moment when Mahomes, fresh off another tight Chiefs win in 2024, used his post-game interview not to brag-but to lament missed opportunities. “Music to my ears,” Belichick gushes, saying he nearly made the soundbite his ringtone.
Mahomes is Brady’s heir
He compares the moment to Brady’s own relentless drive, citing times when the Patriots would win 28-10 and Brady would still say, “We should have scored forty-five!”
Belichick clearly sees Mahomes as the heir to the throne, writing that his leadership will keep the Chiefs’ dynasty alive. But he doesn’t hold back on Brady either, roasting his former QB by saying he initially looked “as athletic as a junior high equipment manager” and was “one of the slowest quarterbacks in the league.”
Still, Belichick calls drafting Brady “the best decision I ever made” and credits the quarterback with bringing out the best in him as a coach.
Belichick didn’t hold anything back
The no-nonsense tone continues throughout the book, with Belichick offering tough-love lessons on leadership and competition, all while leaving out a few juicy bits-like his now-strained relationship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
He does, however, give a shout-out to his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, thanking her as his “creative muse.”
The Art of Winning doesn’t hold back-and neither does Belichick. Whether you love him, hate him, or still can’t believe he wore that hoodie to every game, he’s once again reminding everyone: he does hard things, and he does them his way.
