When he finally waved goodbye to the NFL in 2023, Tom Brady did so with a legacy as the most decorated quarterback of all time long secured after winning a record seven Super Bowls over the course of his iconic career.
For the large majority, he remains the greatest to ever do it. No other quarterback in history has won the big prize more than four times, speaking volumes about the genius of Brady in his time with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Yet is the pendulum beginning to swing in a different direction?
After winning a second straight Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs last season, and his third overall, Patrick Mahomes has thrust himself into the GOAT debate as he eyes a historic three-peat in the 2024 campaign.
Not even Brady achieved that feat during over two decades in the sport. And if Mahomes does add a fourth to his collection this term, he would have done so in just eight seasons. The seven-time champion needed 15 to land his fourth.
Tom Brady remains the greatest NFL quarterback of all time for 85 percent of players
But Patrick Mahomes is slowly making a case to move himself into the GOAT discussion
With the Chiefs superstar on the cusp of sporting immortality this term, ESPN has asked over 100 NFL players who they believe is the greatest quarterback of all time.
But unfortunately for Mahomes, Brady very much remains the GOAT in their eyes.
Out of 103 anonymous players, a whopping 85 of them voted the Patriots legend as their all-time great.
Only seven opted for Mahomes as the greatest, with 11 votes going to a number of other unnamed quarterbacks.
However, some Brady voters admitted their stance could change if his closest competitor seals a three-peat with Kansas City this season.
‘It’s Brady, but if Mahomes three-peats, that’s a different story,’ one AFC South player is quoted as saying.
There was also an agreement amongst many that Mahomes is the obvious pick when it comes to talent, which was enough to sway some players.
‘No disrespect to Tom… but I’m taking Pat,’ said one NFC South player. ‘Pat can do everything Tom can do, and he’s mobile.’
Brady’s record seven Super Bowl wins means he is still considered the greatest by most
Mahomes is eyeing a historic three-peat with the Kansas City Chiefs this season
The Chiefs quarterback has the chance to achieve a feat that Brady never did in his career
Others, however, could not make a case for Mahomes given Brady’s historic Super Bowl record.
‘Mahomes is on his way, but he’s not there yet,’ another NFC South player said. ‘You can’t disrespect Tom Brady. He has seven rings. That’s a long way to go.’
An AFC South player who chase Brady agreed with that view: ‘Mahomes is on track to be the best ever. He’s just got some of those skills that you can’t teach.’
The 103 anonymous players were also asked to rank their top three current quarterbacks; with three points handed to their No 1, two to their No 2 and one to their No 3.
Mahomes was the clear winner in this category after receiving 291 points, more than double the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson in second (124). Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made up the top three with 51 points.
Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (39) and New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers (32) came in fourth and fifth place.
With one vote more than Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Hurts and Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa (10 votes), Allen was also named the most overrated quarterback in the league with 11 votes.
He was even selected as the biggest trash-talking quarterback with 26 votes. Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield (17) and Rodgers (15) came second and third.
San Francisco 49ers’ Brock Purdy and LA Rams’ Matthew Stafford (14 votes) were tied for the most underrated quarterback prize, coming in ahead of Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins, Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff, Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love and Carolina Panthers Bryce Young all on seven votes.
The 103 players also voted for the rookie quarterbacks they believe will have the most successful careers; with Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams (34 votes), Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels (30) and Minnesota Vikings’ JJ McCarthy (10) the top picks.
