Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce drops bold Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady take

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce believes future Hall of Famer Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback ever. However, he also hinted teammate Patrick Mahomes could surpass him.

"Obviously, I got all the respect for Tom Brady," Kelce said on a Wednesday episode of the "I Am Athlete" podcast. "He's the GOAT and the best to ever do it, but I think the rate Pat is at, how he's doing it, I think it's a little more all on Pat than Brady."

Through his first five seasons as a starter, Mahomes had more MVPs (two), Pro Bowl nods (five),  passing yards (23,957) and passing TDs (192) than Brady in his first five years starting. This season, he leads the NFL in QBR (76.9) and is the MVP favorite (+275), per OddsChecker.

Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, recently acknowledged Mahomes is a superstar and could challenge his legacy.

"I mean, I think when I'm looking at guys in pro football, Patrick is the one that really stands out," Brady said on a Tuesday episode of "The Let's Go!" podcast. "They've done a great job since he's really taken over." 

Yet Brady, who starred for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 23 seasons, won an NFL-record seven Super Bowls. Even Kelce admitted matching that total will be a massive challenge for Mahomes.

"So I think [Mahomes] will catch [Brady] in all the accolades," Kelce said. "But I think the biggest thing is always going to be those Super Bowls. That's a lot of Super Bowls."

Whether he tops Brady or not, Mahomes is the best QB in the league right now, and the Chiefs have a strong chance to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Patriots in 2003 and 2004. OddsChecker gives Kansas City the best Super Bowl odds (+450).

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Oilers crush Panthers in Game 4, stay alive in Stanley Cup Final
Dodgers ace leaves game against Royals due to triceps tightness
Sam Mayer uses overtime restart to win Xfinity Series' return to Iowa
Liberty forward pushes herself into MVP conversation with big game vs. Aces
Tiger Woods makes big admission about his U.S. Open future
Cubs P 'Mike' Imanaga continues hot start vs. Cardinals
Celtics' All-Defensive guard reportedly could replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA
Tee Higgins' contract decision adds pressure on Bengals in 2024
One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
College baseball has become too regional for its own good
Three Padres prospects who should be untouchable in trade talks
Connor McDavid's history-making night helps Oilers stave off elimination
Astros scratch Justin Verlander as nightmare season continues
Watch: Oilers chase goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky from Game 4
Watch: Rockies third baseman takes advantage of Pirates laziness' to steal home
Pirates place young catcher on concussion IL
Watch: Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final gets off to chaotic start
Rockies 1B, former NL MVP diagnosed with internal oblique strain
NBA insider shares update on J.J. Redick's candidacy for Lakers HC job
Nationals hurler DJ Herz makes impressive history in third career start

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.