He may not be there yet, but New England Patriots legend Drew Bledsoe believes Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is the only player right now who can achieve all-time status alongside Tom Brady.
Mahomes, at 28, owns three Super Bowl rings, including back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023. Many have given him the GOAT label and believe he is already one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
However, Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback in the history of the game, and he has four more Super Bowl rings on his illustrious Hall of Fame resume.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, #15, warms up before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
So while Bledsoe believes Mahomes has what it takes to reach Brady's “rared air,” he knows one key factor will need to be part of his career to solidify that status: longevity.
“The amazing thing about Tom and what he was able to do was the length of time he was able to do it,” Bledsoe explained while discussing what FanDuel has to offer NFL fans this 2024 season. “The physical demands of a quarterback, like Brady and [NBA superstar] LeBron [James] They've been doing what they do for so long. They're very different things physically. Playing quarterback isn't as physically demanding. You have to take care of yourself and all that.
“The fact that Tom has been able to maintain his focus and his attention to detail, and that he's been able to do the little things over and over again for over 20 years, is impressive. Because no matter what you do in life, no matter how exciting it is, once you've done it long enough, it can get a little monotonous. Tom was able to keep going for all that time.”
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Mahomes is still in his prime and, from the outside looking in, has plenty of years left in the NFL. But getting back to Bledsoe's point, how much longer does Mahomes want to keep playing quarterback?
“For Mahomes, it'll be interesting to see how long he wants to do it,” he said. “If he wants to move on to something else. If he keeps doing what he's doing, Andy Reid wants to keep coaching for a long time.” [tight end Travis] Kelce can keep playing for him, and then they keep replacing him and giving him more weapons, he could end up [alongside Brady].”
While the question of longevity must be answered over time, Bledsoe, like the rest of NFL fans, is enjoying what Mahomes brings to the game each season.
He also believes the Mahomes magic we see on the field weekly is something he believes not even Brady possessed.
Drew Bledsoe attends Netflix's “The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady” live comedy event at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California on May 5, 2024. (MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
“He's been unique. There's never been anybody like him that can make the throws he makes, off balance, running,” said Bledsoe, who was drafted first overall by the Patriots in 1993. “He's got a great coach, obviously. He's still got Kelce, who's still playing at an extremely high level.
“He's building a legacy, but in terms of who he is just playing the game, I think he's in rarefied air in terms of what he's capable of doing on a football field.”
Although Brady has seven Super Bowl titles under his belt, Mahomes and the Chiefs are looking to do what no NFL team has ever been able to do: win three straight championships.
The Chiefs needed overtime to defeat the San Francisco 49ers in February, and once again, it was Mahomes doing what he does best in crunch time to set up the game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman.
It was Mahomes' 16th career game-winning drive, but he still has a long way to go to catch Brady, who leads the NFL all-time with 58.
Fans might argue about his career statistics, though Brady edges out Mahomes in most cases due to the amount of time he played. However, in terms of elite talent and championships won, Mahomes is on pace to join the best players ever to play center.
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady looks on before a game between the Michigan Panthers and the Memphis Showboats at Ford Field on May 18, 2024 in Detroit. (Nic Antaya/UFL/Getty Images)
That's the legacy Bledsoe and many others see unfolding before their very eyes. Whether he'll ever be able to sit alongside Brady or even surpass him remains to be seen.
LOOKING AT MAHOMES AND MORE THANKS TO FANDUEL
Bledsoe is excited to watch Mahomes and the rest of the NFL's best this season with NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV, which FanDuel helps fans get access to.
Fans who place a $5 NFL bet this season through FanDuel will receive a free three-week trial of NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV, allowing them to watch any NFL game.
“I've been a big fan of the NFL's decision to bring Sunday Ticket to YouTube and YouTube TV, simply because it works,” explained Bledsoe, who said he partnered with FanDuel because of how important responsible gaming is to them.
“It's a simple interface and it works very well.”
New England Patriots Hall of Famer Drew Bledsoe, center, talks about Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes, who has drawn comparisons to former teammate Tom Brady, right. (Getty Images)
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