Patrick Mahomes: The Path to GOAT Status
In the world of professional sports, the debate over who holds the title of the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) is as fierce as it is subjective. In the realm of football, the conversation often centers around two names: Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. As Mahomes continues to carve out his legacy, the question arises: Is he just one Super Bowl win away from becoming the undisputed GOAT?
To understand the significance of this question, we must first examine the accomplishments of both quarterbacks. Tom Brady, with his seven Super Bowl rings, has set a standard that seems insurmountable. His career is marked by numerous records, including the most Super Bowl appearances, most playoff wins, and most career touchdown passes. Brady’s ability to perform in clutch situations, particularly in the playoffs, has solidified his reputation as a winner. He has consistently demonstrated an uncanny ability to lead his teams to victory, even when the odds are stacked against them.
On the other hand, Patrick Mahomes has burst onto the scene with a style of play that is both electrifying and effective. Since becoming the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes has redefined the position with his unique skill set. His ability to make throws from various angles, combined with his mobility and football IQ, has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Mahomes has already achieved significant milestones, including winning the NFL MVP award and leading the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory in 2020.
As of now, Mahomes has two Super Bowl wins under his belt, and if he were to secure a third, the conversation about his place in history would undoubtedly intensify. Winning a third Super Bowl would not only elevate his status but also place him in a unique category of quarterbacks who have achieved a three-peat—a feat that has not been accomplished in the NFL since Brady’s Patriots in the early 2000s.
However, the argument for Mahomes as the GOAT is not solely based on championships. His individual statistics are impressive, and he has consistently put up numbers that rival those of Brady during his prime. Mahomes has already amassed a significant number of passing yards and touchdowns in a shorter time frame, showcasing his potential to break records as his career progresses. His ability to perform in high-pressure situations, including playoff games, further strengthens his case.
Yet, the debate is complicated by the context in which both quarterbacks have played. Brady’s early career was marked by a lack of offensive firepower, yet he still managed to win three Super Bowls. In contrast, Mahomes has had the luxury of playing under head coach Andy Reid, known for his offensive genius, and has been surrounded by elite talent, including Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Critics argue that Mahomes’ success is partly due to the stability and talent around him, while Brady had to overcome adversity and build his legacy from the ground up.
Moreover, Brady’s ability to win with different teams adds another layer to the discussion. After leaving the New England Patriots, he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in his first season with the team. This adaptability and success in different environments highlight Brady’s unique skill set and leadership qualities.
As Mahomes continues to build his resume, the question remains: Can he surpass Brady? Winning a third Super Bowl would certainly bolster his case, but it may not be enough to eclipse Brady’s extensive list of accomplishments. The debate is further complicated by the fact that Brady’s career spanned two decades, during which he consistently performed at an elite level. Mahomes, while incredibly talented, is still in the early stages of his career.
Ultimately, the GOAT debate is subjective and influenced by personal biases and preferences. Some fans may prioritize championships, while others may focus on individual talent and impact on the game. Mahomes’ potential to become the GOAT hinges not only on his ability to win more championships but also on how he continues to evolve as a player and leader.
In conclusion, Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly on a trajectory that could lead him to be considered the GOAT, especially if he secures another Super Bowl victory. However, the legacy of Tom Brady is formidable, and the records he set may prove to be a significant hurdle for Mahomes to overcome. As the NFL landscape continues to evolve, the debate will persist, and fans will eagerly watch as Mahomes writes the next chapter of his career. Whether he ultimately becomes the undisputed GOAT or not, one thing is clear: Mahomes is a generational talent who has already left an indelible mark on the game of football.
Can Patrick Mahomes chase down Tom Brady’s seven Super Bowl titles and become the undisputed GOAT?
Patrick Mahomes looks to earn a third Super Bowl title in Las Vegas on Sunday against the very San Francisco 49ers who he beat four years ago to secure his first; watch Super Bowl LVIII live on Sky Sports NFL, Sunday, with build-up from 10pm ahead of kickoff at 11.30pm
When Tom Brady finally bowed out of the NFL last February at the age of 45, he did so as the undisputed GOAT. But, just one year on, his legacy of a record seven Super Bowl titles is already under threat: and he goes by the name of Patrick Mahomes.
Mahomes, aged 28, already has two Super Bowl rings to his name and, on Sunday, has the chance to make that three with victory over the very same San Francisco 49ers against whom he secured his first four years ago.
In doing so, Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs would also become the NFL’s first repeat champions since a certain Mr Brady and the New England Patriots accomplished the feat nearly two decades ago (2003 and 2004 seasons).
The 49ers, out for revenge, represent a formidable obstacle in Mahomes’ way of that third title, with San Francisco – led by play-calling savant Kyle Shanahan at head coach – boasting a top-five offense in all major categories, backed up by a defense which, though shaky at spells during the playoffs, has been one of the league’s more consistent units over the past few years.
The 49ers team also now have their answer at QB, with Jimmy Garoppolo and his overthrown deep ball for Emmanuel Sanders replaced by ‘Mr Irrelevant’ Brock Purdy – the 2023 season’s top-rated passer – who goes in search of his Super Bowl fairy-tale moment.
But, whether Mahomes emerges from the neon-lit landscape of Las Vegas as a two or three-time Super Bowl champion, the target of Brady, and his seven rings, will continue to loom large.
Mahomes certainly sees Brady’s longevity in the game as his goal, with hopefully a two-handed haul of jewellery to match. “Fifteen years seems long, but Brady did it and some other guys have done it so, I’m going to strive to see if I can do it as well,” Mahomes said this week.
“I mean, I’m not even close to halfway [in my career]… ask me that question in 15 years, and I’ll see if I can get close to seven [rings]. But seven seems like a long way away still.”
He added: “My career goals have always been the same and it’s to not have any regrets. No matter what I do, I’m going to give everything I have to the game.
“Whatever that ends up with, how many Super Bowl rings that is, however many wins that is, I know that I gave everything I have.”
Speaking on Inside The Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold discuss whether it should be considered a dynasty if the Kansas City Chiefs win a third Super Bowl in six years
Whether Mahomes ultimately matches Brady’s haul remains to be seen, but he is certainly keeping pace with him for early-career success.
Through seven seasons, Mahomes has the edge on Brady in every major category, his 28,424 passing yards and 231 total touchdowns dwarfing the GOAT’s 21,564 yards through the air and 150 total TDs at the same stage.
He also already has two league MVP awards to his name, with Brady not earning the first of his three until after his eighth season in the league. As for Super Bowl appearances, this is Mahomes’ fourth (Brady had three, winning them all), following on from reaching the AFC Championship game in each of his six seasons as a starter – an NFL first.
Patrick Mahomes’ 2023 stats
401/597 passing (67.2 per cent)
4,183 yards
7.0 yards per attempt
27 touchdowns
14 interceptions
92.6 passer rating
“What he’s doing is remarkable,” former NFL quarterback Chris Simms said on Pro Football Talk this week. “The guy is special. There’s an aura about him. Number 15 is magic man.
“It’s insane what we’re watching… and he’s not going anywhere. He’s really just starting to hit the prime of his career.
“He doesn’t feel pressure. Down to the [Philadelphia] Eagles in the Super Bowl, down to the 49ers… there’s nothing that’s going to ever phase him now. He has accomplished it all.”
As Simms states, in his two prior Super Bowl wins, Mahomes carried the team on his back to turn a 10-point deficit with six-and-a-half minutes to go in their first title showdown with the 49ers into a stunning 31-20 triumph. Last year, down 10 to the Eagles at the half and on an injured ankle, he tossed three touchdowns – two in the fourth quarter – to clinch another memorable victory.
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Heck, even his lone Super Bowl loss, to the Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers, contained “some of the best incomplete passes in NFL history,” according to PFT‘s Mike Florio.
Mahomes, again not fully fit for that contest – struggling with turf toe – couldn’t prevent his team from being defeated 31-9, despite some remarkable, gravity-defying throws from the KC quarterback, not helped by drops from his receiving corps.
“The one they lost, if he didn’t have a toe that literally needed to be operated on three days after Super Bowl and have both of his offensive tackles hurt, he’d have won that game too,” Florio said.
“Just think, if that game had gone a different way, he’d already have three and Brady would have six.
Tom Brady got the better of Mahomes in the pair’s clash at Super Bowl LV, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers winning 31-9
“You’ve got to be tormented by that sort of loss when you know that you’ve climbed the mountain twice and you’re trying to climb it seven times.
“For Mahomes, the ultimate fuel is ‘I know I need five more’. And he understands, there’s only so many of these chances you get.”
For long periods, it didn’t look like this 2023 season would provide Mahomes with another of those chances to eat into Brady’s sizable silverware advantage, the Chiefs scraping into the playoffs off the back of five defeats in 10.
Kansas City Chiefs 2023 season
Week
Opposition
Result
1
vs Lions
L 20-21
2
@ Jaguars
W 17-9
3
vs Bears
W 41-10
4
@ Jets
W 23-20
5
@ Vikings
6
vs Broncos
W 19-8
7
vs Chargers
W 31-17
8
@ Broncos
L 9-24
9
vs Dolphins
W 21-14
10
BYE
BYE
11
vs Eagles
L 17-21
12
@ Raiders
W 31-17
13
@ Packers
L 19-27
14
vs Bills
L 17-20
15
@ Patriots
W 27-17
16
vs Raiders
L 14-20
17
vs Bengals
W 25-17
18
@ Chargers
W 13-12
Wild Card
vs Dolphins
W 26-7
Divisional Round
@ Bills
W 27-24
AFC Championship Game
@ Ravens
W 17-10
For much of the year, Kansas City’s usually-explosive offense struggled to get out of first gear, ranking 15th in points per game (21.8) and only just sneaking into the top 10 in terms of yards per game (351.3), with Mahomes hindered by an underperforming crop of receivers marred by dropped catches.
Defensive schemes across the league also rallied to blunt the magic man, with Mahomes posting a career-low in passing yards per game (261.4), to go with 27 touchdowns passes (second only to his 26 when playing two games fewer in 2019) and a career-high mark of 14 interceptions. His passer rating of 92.6 was also a new low.
Chiefs regular season rankings
Offense
Defense
Total
9th
2nd
Passing
6th
4th
Rushing
19th
18th
Scoring
15th
2nd
The story of the season has arguably been Kansas City’s defense, the unit ranking behind only the Baltimore Ravens in points per game allowed (17.3) and second to just the Cleveland Browns in terms of yards per game given up (289.8).
The Chiefs ultimately did just about enough to clinch the AFC West division title for an eighth-straight year – the longest active streak in the league and second-longest in NFL history behind only the 11 straight seasons managed by, yes, you guessed it, Brady and the Patriots (2009-2019).
And for all their mid-season wobbles, the defending champions have turned it on at precisely the right time, arriving at Super Bowl LVIII playing some of their best football, having impressively toppled the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and AFC top-seeds the Ravens through the playoffs – the latter two victories coming in Mahomes’ first career road games in the postseason.
“This is starting to feel a little bit Patriot-ish,” NBC Sports writer Peter King said on PFT. “[The Chiefs] weren’t even that good this year and, yet, here they are.”
The NFL, fresh from the Brady-Patriots dynasty that dominated the past two decades, is perhaps not ready for another one, leading to Mahomes and the Chiefs assuming the role of villains during Super Bowl week in Vegas, certainly based off the crowd reactions so far. They’re not in Kansas anymore.
