Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes opens up about when he may retire

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes became a three-time Super Bowl champion and a three-time Super Bowl MVP before turning 30, a milestone he'll reach on Sept. 17.

During a recent chat with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Mahomes addressed whether or not he could follow in the footsteps of Tom Brady and LeBron James as sports icons who continued to find success into their 40s. 

What Patrick Mahomes has learned from Tom Brady and LeBron James

"It started with Tom and LeBron — you can play longer," Mahomes told Breer. "I think, for me, as long as I can play, and have fun, and my family’s enjoying it, I’ll play. I don’t want to take away from my family. My kids are still young, but they’re getting older, and they love coming to the football games; they love being there. And the one good thing —compared to baseball, like when I grew up, my Dad was always gone —with football, you have a home city. So, hopefully, I can play as long as I keep playing well, and my family is enjoying it."

Brady earned six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots from 2000 through the 2019 season before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020 at 42 years old. He then guided the Bucs to a Super Bowl title in his first season with the organization. 

Meanwhile, James averaged 24.4 points per game for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 campaign. He'll turn 41 in December. 

Andy Reid discusses what Patrick Mahomes is still pursuing

"He still wants to be great every play," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said about Mahomes while chatting with Breer. "He tries to keep his body absolutely the right way that’s best for him. ...You never lose the desire, stay humble and stay hungry. If you can do that, then more power to you. People get complacent. You gotta fight that. That’s part of human nature. And that’s the way he’s wired. It’s how he’s handled things." 

Specifically, Mahomes has repeatedly claimed that Brady's accomplishments have given him "something to strive for every single day." Brady accumulated seven Super Bowl rings and five Super Bowl MVP awards en route to becoming the NFL's undisputed GOAT (greatest of all time).

Mahomes and the Chiefs will open the 2025 season against the Los Angeles Chargers, which will be held in Brazil on Friday night. As of Friday morning, ESPN Bet had Kansas City as 3.5-point favorites.