Travis Kelce and Andy Reid made feelings clear on Patrick Mahomes-Tom Brady NFL GOAT debate
It’s a debate that won’t be ending any time soon.
The NFL GOAT discussion was once deemed non-existent, but in recent years Patrick Mahomes has injected new life into the debate alongside Tom Brady, with some of his peers rating him as the best ever.
Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes are two of the finest quarterbacks of all timeCredit: GETTY
Mahomes’ fellow Kansas City Chiefs’ star Travis Kelce had no doubt when asked who he believes the NFL’s greatest ever player is.
Back in January, after a vintage Mahomes performance in their AFC Championship game, Kelce couldn’t stop handing out compliments to his quarterback.
“It’s been such a pleasure,” Kelce said. “He’s every bit of a superstar off the field as he is on the field. I consider him family.
“There’s one common denominator from the Chiefs my entire career and that’s Andy Reid, but this thing really took off when Patrick Mahomes got here.
“I know everybody knows that, but what I see in the building, his leadership, his ability to relate to everybody and motivate everybody, and be accountable, it’s unique, and it’s like nothing else.
“He’s the greatest to ever do it. You can’t change my mind, otherwise.”
Mahomes, 29, has built a stunning resume since he arrived in the NFL back in 2017 as the 10th overall pick.
The quarterback has won two MVP honors along with three Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVPs.
He missed the opportunity to make it four when the Chiefs lost Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles in February.
Despite Kelce’s confidence in Mahomes’ standing as the greatest, many fans and pundits still believe that Brady’s extensive resume puts him ahead of the Chiefs star by some distance.
Brady and Mahomes share a mutual respect and will be compared foreverCredit: Getty
Kelce and Reid have not been shy to chime in on the GOAT debate
Brady’s 2 seasons in the NFL saw him collect three MVPs and a stunning seven Super Bowls rings.
He also holds numerous major NFL quarterback records, like the most career passing yards, completions, touchdown passes, and games started.
Brady’s story is even more impressive considering he was selected 199th overall by the Patriots in 2000, a remarkable beginning to what became one of the finest ever careers in pro sports.
The Brady and Mahomes discussion is one that head coach Andy Reid has offered insight into, too.
‘Big Red’ once revealed that Brady took great interest in Mahomes’ development.
The Chiefs’ head coach said that Brady reached out to Mahomes after the New England Patriots’ overtime win over Kansas City in the 2018 AFC Championship game.
“I was there when Tom Brady said, ‘I’m turning the keys over to you,'” Reid told NFL Network in 2024.
“He did it right in our locker room. And so I think Tom is as proud as anybody.”
Reid also added that he believes Mahomes has embraced being the best in the league.
“He makes the difficult look easy at the highest possible level in the whole world,” Reid said.
“There’s only 2 in the whole world, and he’s the special of the special. I watched Tom Brady turn the keys over to him, which was cool. Tom said, ‘Hey, this is your league now, man.’
Mahomes still has many more years left at the top level to close the gap to TB12.
He’s currently preparing for his ninth season with the Chiefs in 2025, where nothing but a Super Bowl will suffice.
