Patrick Mahomes isn’t oblivious to the Tom Brady comparisons. However, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback knows the New England Patriots legend will always have one leg up over him.
Mahomes garnered his third Super Bowl ring on Sunday in a 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers. In true GOAT fashion, Mahomes led the game-winning drive that ended in a touchdown that sealed the victory.
Mahomes needs just four more to match Brady’s total. And with the Chiefs superstar still very much in his prime, there are likely to be several more Super Bowl appearances in his’ future. But to Mahomes, the pursuit to pass Brady comes with an extra hurdle.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes On Hearing Tom Brady Comparisons
During the CBS postgame show, Mahomes was asked if he hears the comparisons to Brady. The Chiefs QB admitted that he does hear it but pointed to the fact that Brady beat him outright when the two faced off at Super Bowl LV.
“Yeah, I hear it,” said Mahomes. “But to me, it’s always going to be tough because Brady beat me in the Super Bowl. That’s one thing he’ll always have on my head.”
The Buccaneers manhandled the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV 31-9 to secure Brady’s 7th ring over the man who appears to be his heir apparent. Instead of letting the pain of the loss linger, Mahomes said that he uses it as motivation.“It gives me something to strive for every single day,” Mahomes added. “It’s chasing greatness. Whenever I’m tired and I don’t want to work out, I know that I have to do it in order to be in these moments like this.”
Patrick Mahomes on Tom Brady comparisons:
“To me it will always be tough because Brady beat me in the Super Bowl.”
Most logical statement from the man himself. pic.twitter.com/a80n7a1oNH
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) February 12, 2024
Is Patrick Mahomes Currently On Pace To Chase Down Tom Brady?
Mahomes has a 0-2 record against Brady in the postseason. Aside from the Super Bowl matchup, Brady famously beat Mahomes in overtime during the 2018 AFC Championship Game.
Mahomes, who is currently 28, is also slightly behind from Brady’s timeline given that the Patriots star got his third ring when he was 27. But Brady did go a full decade (he was 37 for his 4th ring) without a Super Bowl win, which gives Mahomes some buffer time to try to catch up.
There’s also the added factor that Brady played and remained effective up until he was 45. The future FOX analyst could probably suit up next season and outperforming some of the lesser QBs in the league if he wanted to. Mahomes would need to continue on his path and achieve similar longevity if he ever wants to touch — or even pass — Brady’s Super Bowl total.
Escaping Brady’s shadow will remain a tall task that will require sustained greatness from Mahomes. But the Chiefs QB appears to be more than up for the challenge.