Patrick Mahomes entered Super Bowl 59 with the chance to achieve something that had never been done before in the Super Bowl era—win three straight championships. This would have put him in a place that no other all-time great has ever even come close to reaching. An achievement like that would have not only cemented his legacy as an all-timer but would have already put him on the heels of Tom Brady.
Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs suffered its worst loss of the Patrick Mahomes era in an uncompetitive 40-22 defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, which have effective immediately put a halt on any discussions about Mahomes rise to become the next GOAT of the NFL— at least for now.
Despite this setback, Mahomes’ accomplishments remain incredibly impressive, but this loss raises some valid questions about how much weight should be placed on Super Bowl records when evaluating a player’s legacy. Brady, who is universally accepted as the GOAT over his 23 seasons in the NFL, went 7-3 in his 10 Super Bowl appearances, setting an unprecedented standard for his successors to try and surpass. At just 29 years old, Mahomes, who has been the only quarterback currently playing to even be in the realm of chasing down Brady, is still in the early ages of his career, which leaves ample time for him to continue building his case.
But should this debate even be happening yet, given how long quarterbacks typically play? Let’s take a look at where things stand now, and the potential future of this debate.
Mahomes vs. Brady: A Statistical Comparison
Mahomes and Brady had identical 3-2 records through their first five Super Bowls, but their performances differed. Brady threw for nine touchdowns and two interceptions in those games, while Mahomes posted 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Despite the Chiefs’ loss, he remains one of the most dominant playoff quarterbacks ever, boasting a 17-4 postseason record that only trails Brady in the win column.
Brady’s influence loomed over Super Bowl 59 as he watched from the Fox broadcast booth while he struggled under relentless pressure. The Eagles sacked him a career-high six times and forced two costly interceptions. The game mirrored Mahomes’ first Super Bowl loss when Tampa Bay’s defense overwhelmed him in a 31-9 defeat in Super Bowl 55—Brady’s final championship victory.
The numbers paint a picture of Mahomes as a quarterback capable of rewriting history, but the GOAT conversation isn’t solely about stats. Brady played 23 seasons and remained dominant well into his 40s, making the argument about longevity just as important as peak performance. Mahomes is off to an incredible start, but can he sustain this level of success for another decade?
Super Bowl Losses and Their Impact on a Legacy
Brady’s Super Bowl losses were narrow defeats, decided by a combined 16 points, while Mahomes’ two losses have been more lopsided. The Eagles’ dominant performance in Super Bowl 59 raises questions about whether Mahomes can elevate his team under any circumstance, as Brady did in Super Bowl 51 when he led the Patriots back from a 28-3 deficit.
“Anytime you lose a Super Bowl, it’s the worst feeling in the world,” he said after the game. “It’ll stick with you the rest of your career. These will be the two losses that will motivate me to be even better for the rest of my career.”
His ability to respond will determine whether this loss is just a setback or a defining moment. Brady experienced a 10-year Super Bowl drought between his third and fourth championships, only to dominate the later years of his career. Could he follow a similar trajectory, or will he need continued success in the next few seasons to remain in the conversation?
The GOAT Debate: Is It Too Soon?
Comparing him to Brady at this stage is like debating Michael Jordan versus LeBron James before LeBron had won multiple championships. Brady’s dominance spanned two decades, while Mahomes hasn’t even reached the 10-year mark in his career. The discussion is premature, especially given the unpredictability of the NFL.
San Francisco’s Joe Montana, Pittsburgh’s Terry Bradshaw, and Dallas’ Troy Aikman all went undefeated in Super Bowl appearances, with a combined record of 11-0. Mahomes has more Super Bowl appearances than those legends, but his losses are part of his story now. Longevity and sustained success are key factors in the GOAT debate, and Mahomes still has much to prove.
Brady’s legacy wasn’t solidified until he won his fifth Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons, overcoming the historic 28-3 deficit. That moment separated him from Montana and others in the all-time quarterback rankings. Mahomes has had defining moments, such as his game-winning drive in Super Bowl 58 against the 49ers, but he’ll need more of those moments to truly enter the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Mahomes’ loss in Super Bowl 59 doesn’t eliminate him from the GOAT discussion, but it does put the brakes on comparisons to Brady. With only eight seasons under his belt, he still has plenty of time to build his legacy, but he faces significant hurdles ahead. There are real questions about how much longer both head coach Andy Reid and tight end Travis Kelce will be around and how their potential departures could impact his ability to dominate in the coming years.
If Mahomes plays for another decade, he’ll likely amass record-breaking statistics. But Super Bowl titles define greatness, and right now, he’s still far behind Brady in that department. Until he adds more rings to his resume, the GOAT debate remains one-sided. It’s not about whether he could surpass Brady—it’s about whether he will. And for now, that answer remains unknown.
