What Bill Belichick said about Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in his new memoir might surprise even hardcore NFL fans

Bill Belichick sparks controversy in his new memoir by making a bold comparison between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, surprising fans. (Credit: Getty Images)

When a coaching legend like Bill Belichick speaks, the football world listens. The six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach, now stepping into a new role with North Carolina football, has turned the page on his iconic NFL career by releasing his memoir, The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football. But amidst the reflections on his time with the New England Patriots, it’s his bold comparison between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes that’s fueling fresh debate across the league.

Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes: Bill Belichick’s memoir drops a bombshell comparison

In his memoir, Bill Belichick doesn’t shy away from addressing the long-simmering question: Can Patrick Mahomes rival the legacy of Tom Brady? And while fans might have expected a defensive stance in favor of his longtime quarterback, Belichick took a more nuanced approach.“You know what? Brady and Patrick Mahomes are both really good. Controversial, I know,” he wrote.That statement, both candid and unexpected, forms the crux of Belichick’s argument.

He doesn’t delve into statistics or hardware as the basis for greatness. Instead, his focus lies in the mindset and leadership style that both men exhibit—a quality he believes transcends numbers and defines champions.In one standout example, Belichick referenced a recent postgame moment from Mahomes, where the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback had won a game but expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance. Mahomes had said, “I feel like I haven’t played very well, and that’s not a stats thing.

I just feel like I’m missing opportunities whenever they’re out there and not throwing the ball in the exact spot I want it to be at.”That moment struck a chord with Belichick, who saw it as a mirror image of Brady’s own postgame remarks over the years.“By putting himself on the spot, by publicly doubting the basis for the W that he just secured, Mahomes sent a powerful message to, and about, his entire team: ‘This may look okay right now, but it’s not going to be good enough in the end,’” he wrote.

“And that says to me that the Chiefs aren’t going anywhere as long as number 15 is on the field.”Such reflections show that, for Belichick, greatness isn’t just about rings—it’s about relentlessness. He described this pursuit of perfection as “music to my ears,” likening it to the times when Brady, after a 28-10 win, would insist they “should have scored forty-five.”While Brady’s seven Super Bowl victories stand as a monumental achievement, Belichick made it clear that what set him apart wasn’t just his wins, but how hard he worked to get them.

“Tom was hard to coach because he was so well prepared,” Belichick admitted. “He was smart, mentally and physically tough, and the most dependable player I have coached.”Yet, Mahomes is forging a similar path. Already a two-time Super Bowl champion and a fixture in the championship conversation, he’s leading a dynasty in the making. Belichick even noted that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid might someday write his own memoir and declare Mahomes the greatest of all time.

“I’ve never engaged in this argument with my good friend Andy Reid… but I have little doubt he will write his own book one day and claim that he had the greatest QB of all time,” Belichick quipped.The comparison wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging the weight of defeat. Tom Brady, during a Fox broadcast after the Chiefs’ recent Super Bowl loss, opened up about how the pain of losing never fades.“That loss to the Giants was 17 years ago, I still haven’t lived it down,” Brady said. “The reality of a loss in this game is, you don’t ever get over it… I know the Chiefs do as well, Patrick too.”These sentiments underline why Belichick sees Mahomes and Brady through a similar lens. Both possess the same intolerance for failure, the same hunger to improve—even after victories—and the same understanding that success in the NFL is never permanent.

As Belichick embarks on his new journey in college football, his reflections in The Art of Winning serve as more than just a memoir—they offer a candid look at two of football’s finest minds under center. While the Brady vs. Mahomes debate may rage on, Belichick has made his position clear: true greatness lies not in the stats, but in the standard these men set for themselves, and their teams.The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football is on sale now.