Does Patrick Mahomes already have a GOAT case?

By Ethan Scott | Last updated Jan 29, 2024 12:08 PM ET

Patrick Mahomes is in a league of his own as he led the Kansas City Chiefs through the AFC for the fourth time in five years.

At just 28, his resume is already one of the most impressive in NFL history, and purely from a talent perspective, he might already be the best to ever do it. With two league MVPs, two Super Bowl rings and two Super Bowl MVPs already under his belt, Mahomes is scripting an extraordinary start to his career.

Does Mahomes already have a case as the greatest player ever?

"Mahomes retires today [and] he's the best I've ever seen, and there's no conversation. He goes into the Hall [of Fame] with no vote," Former NFL player and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark wrote on X. "It's almost become laughable. We should probably stop critiquing regular season woes and struggles. Just wait until Championship weekend and watch then."

Echoing legendary quarterback Tom Brady, all Mahomes does is win. Whether it's on the road, at home, with a good defense, or a poor one, it simply doesn't matter. His remarkable regular-season record stands at 74-22 (77 percent) and he boasts an incredible 14-3 (82.4 percent) record in the playoffs, including four Super Bowl appearances.

Since taking over for Alex Smith, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game every year - six in a row. His title game losses came only at the hands of Brady and the New England Patriots in 2019 (Mahomes' first season as the starting quarterback) and Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.

Only six seasons in, Mahomes is already part of this 'greatest ever' debate -- a true testament to the level of player he is. Barring any catastrophic injuries, Mahomes likely has at least another decade left in him. And if he plays another 10 years on this same trajectory, he may break every (important) quarterback record.

However, he never beat Brady when it mattered most. He had two opportunities: the 2019 AFC Championship and the 2022 Super Bowl, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers demolished Mahomes and his Chiefs 31-9. No matter what Mahomes does for the rest of his career, this will always be a point of contention in any Brady-Mahomes legacy arguments.

But if he continues adding playoff wins, MVPs and Super Bowl trophies to his mantel, it will become undeniable. While it's still early in his career and he's not there yet, Mahomes is undeniably on the path to becoming the greatest player the NFL has ever seen.

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