Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has always been open about using Tom Brady as his NFL blueprint, from preparation habits to contract structure and even retirement plans. However, last Monday, Brady revealed that the admiration is mutual.
On Joel Klatt’s podcast, the seven-time Super Bowl champion named Mahomes as the player who best exemplifies what it takes to win. This came after Mahomes suggested that the 2025 Chiefs could be the franchise’s best team ever if they achieve their Super Bowl championship ambitions this year.
Brady, donning a One Piece anime shirt, said: “It’s always that line about who wants to win versus who’s willing to do whatever it takes to win.
“Everyone wants to win, but what are the habits and the daily actionable things you need to do every day to put your team in a position to win? Patrick Mahomes, to me, is the one who does that the most often… In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most. That’s clear.”
While many quarterbacks show “flashes of amazing things,” only a few consistently reach the next level, according to Brady.
Without naming names, it was clear that Brady wasn’t referring to Daniel Jones, whom he criticised at FanaticsFest two years ago.
“They need to assume greater responsibility within the organization. To enable more individuals and bring more people along your journey in the direction you aim to move,” he explained.
The Raiders owner’s remarks followed Mahomes declaring Brady the greatest NFL player of all time during a Time interview last April, even utilising Brady’s career timeline as a benchmark for his own aspirations.
The Chiefs signal-caller acknowledged he might not compete as extensively as Brady and would instead focus on his wife and children. This represents a sharp departure from Brady’s career trajectory, which became a central issue during his 2022 split from Gisele Bundchen.
On the pitch, their head-to-head record is evenly contested.
Brady holds a 3-1 advantage over Mahomes in direct encounters, including a 2-0 postseason record, crowned by Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV triumph.
Mahomes boasts a superior career passer rating (102.1 compared to Brady’s 97.2) and averages more passing yards per match (288.9 versus 266.3), yet Brady’s tally of 15 Pro Bowls, 7 championships, and 3 MVP honours remains unparalleled.
Last season’s Chiefs nearly achieved NFL history as the first franchise to secure three consecutive Super Bowls, but fell to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brady’s Patriots captured three Super Bowls across four seasons (2001, 2003, 2004) but failed to reach the playoffs in 2002 following an early run of four straight defeats.