Joe Montana on Patrick Mahomes potential for all-time greatness
By Matt Conner
If game recognizes game, then Joe Montana would know a thing or two about the potential all-time greatness of Patrick Mahomes.
They say it takes one to know one, which means we can trust former NFL quarterback Joe Montana to be able to recognize the unique greatness on display week after week from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In a recent interview with FanSided’s Mark Carman, Montana spoke about a number of subjects as part of a new promotion for Guinness. Specifically, Carman asked the Hall of Fame quarterback about Mahomes’ ability to ascend the ladder of all-time greats and what potential he might hold there. Montana didn’t mince words.
"“I think when you look at him and his age and the things he’s accomplished already and, really, his ability to do the things he’s been able to prove that he can do, I see him obviously coming up to the top quickly,” said Montana. “I don’t think anything holds him back unless anyone forbid that anyone gets hurt. That’s the only thing that slows the guy down. I don’t think you can slow him down any other way.“As long as they keep adding weapons for him—and as they say, you can’t teach speed and they’ve got some speed on that team—he’s got a cannon so he can let it fly.”"
Montana knows well what it takes to succeed at Arrowhead Stadium. He led the team to 19 wins in two seasons, including two in the postseason, back in 1993 and 1994. In fact, he told FanSided in the same interview that he wished he’d have stuck around one more season in K.C. “I still regret that I left Kansas City that early,” Montana said. “I’ve had 26 surgeries…I’m still dealing with things, but I’d do it all over again.”
In his career, Montana won four Super Bowls and was named MVP in three of those games. He was a two-time MVP and was nominated to go to 8 Pro Bowls.
As for Mahomes, he’s got a long way to go to match Montana’s level of accolades, but he’s already well on his way with an MVP award, a Super Bowl MVP, and two Pro Bowl appearances to his name. This season, the Chiefs are hoping to add another championship ring to his resume, which could come with even more acclaim and hardware. It’s also important to note that Mahomes is only 25 years of age.
So far this season, Mahomes has 16 touchdowns, 1 interception with a 66 percent completion rate for the 6-1 Chiefs.