Where Does Patrick Mahomes Rank In the All-Time List of Great NFL Quarterbacks?

The debate over who ranks as the greatest quarterback of all time is a captivating subject for NFL fans.

20:14 24 October 2024

The debate over who ranks as the greatest quarterback of all time is a captivating subject for NFL fans. For many, the recently retired Tom Brady is the undisputed number one. The former New England Patriots sensation picked up a mighty six Lombardis throughout his stint at Gillette Stadium before moving to Florida and adding another crown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the emergence of Patrick Mahomes has seemingly thrown a spanner in the works to TB12's spot at the summit of NFL quarterback greatness. 

The former Texas Tech standout has completely revolutionized the fortunes of the Kansas City Chiefs since being selected with the tenth overall pick of the 2017 draft. He has reached at least the AFC championship game in all six of his seasons as a starter, winning four of them and turning three of those trips to the Super Bowl into Lombardi trophies. His most recent triumph came back in February as he led the Chiefs to a second straight championship at Super Bowl LVIII. 

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Now, Mahomes aims to become the first man in history to lead his side to a three-peat of Super Bowl triumphs, The Chiefs have started the 2024 season in scintillating fashion and are currently 5-0. It was their bye-week on the recently concluded week six, but a number of their championship rivals were in action. The online NFL odds for week 6 made the Baltimore Ravens a -285 betting favorite for their clash against the upstart Washington Commanders, and they duly lived up to the billing by emerging as a 30-23 victor. 

But despite their victory, it remains Mahomes and his Chiefs who are the favorites for glory in 2024. However, how does the superstar quarterback compare to the all-time greats? Let's find out. 

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is often cited as the benchmark for quarterback greatness, and rightfully so. His seven Super Bowl victories and a plethora of records such as the most career passing yards and touchdowns have set the bar incredibly high. The California sensation rose to prominence in the early 2000s, arriving out of nowhere as a sixth-round pick to lead the Pats to a maiden Super Bowl triumph in 2001, defeating a much fancied St. Louis Rams side dubbed the Greatest Show on Turf in the process. 

That was the start of the greatest run the gridiron has ever seen. Led by Brady under center and iconic head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots claimed further titles in 2003 and 2004, becoming just the sixth team in history to successfully defend the Lombardi. In 2007, the Foxborough-based side became the first team in history to finish a 16-game regular season undefeated, going on to reach yet another Super Bowl before being shockingly beaten by the underdog New York Giants. 

Despite Brady entering his 30s, both he and the Patriots would reach another level in the 2010s, a testament to their main man's longevity, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. Between 2011 and 2018, they would reach at least the AFC Championship game in eight straight seasons, winning five of them and three Lombardis. Brady's traditional pocket-passing style and strategic acumen have made him the epitome of a winning quarterback over the past two decades. 

He left the Patriots in 2020, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers via free agency and leading them to a Super Bowl as well in his maiden season in Florida. He managed to orchestrate a dominant 31-9 victory against Mahomes' Chiefs in the Big Game at the ripe old age of 42, and that triumph may well always leave him clear of his rival in the all-time list. 

Joe Montana

Before Brady's arrival. Joe Montana was forever regarded as the benchmark for NFL greatness. He led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl triumphs throughout the 1980s, a level of dominance that the NoCal outfit has never managed to reach since. Nicknamed "Joe Cool" thanks to his ability to deliver and remain calm under intense pressure, the Pennsylvania-born star was the cornerstone of the innovative West Coast Offense that led the Niners to become the heavyweight franchise they are today. 

Montana’s precision and ability to deliver when it mattered most make him legendary, particularly in postseason play. His Super Bowl performances are often seen as the benchmark for quarterback excellence in the playoffs. He twice masterminded wins against the Cincinnati Bengals on the grandest stage, as well as leading his team to blowout wins against the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos in two of the most lopsided Super Bowls of all time. 

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is celebrated for his cerebral approach to the game. Nobody has won more MVP awards than the former Indianapolis Colts man, with his mighty haul of five almost matched by Aaron Rodgers who sits behind him on four. The two-time Super Bowl winner was a master of the pre-snap read, often outsmarting defenses before the ball was even snapped. 

His regular-season dominance was unparalleled, and his strategic mind transformed the quarterback position. He led the Colts to become perhaps the most feared team in the NFL throughout the 2000s, as well as the Denver Broncos in his later years toward the twilight of his career. However, while he was dominant throughout the regular campaign, his playoff record of 14-13 hardly sets the world alight, unlike Mahomes who thrives in the postseason.