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Patrick Mahomes could enter historic conversation with win over Tom Brady

By Jordan Mannix

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs after the Chief defeat the Patriots 23-16 at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs after the Chief defeat the Patriots 23-16 at Gillette Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Chiefs, Tom Brady
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates in the final seconds of their 31 to 26 win over the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) (Chiefs) /

Brady quietly had one of his best years individually

An even more convincing argument is the season that Brady had under Bruce Arians. Brady is quietly having one of his best seasons as a professional quarterback, and were it not for Aaron Rodgers’ own incredible season, he would have been right in the mix for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award.

Even at the age of 43, learning to play with new teammates and a new coach, Brady finished the season with the fourth-highest expected points added (EPA) per play trailing only Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, and Ryan Tannehill. He also graded out extremely well according to Pro Football Focus, trailing only Aaron Rodgers with a grade of 92.6.

It’s no surprise, as Brady’s statistical performance puts him at or near the top five of his career for every major category (career averages exclude injury years):

  • Completions – 2nd, 401; Average for career – 356
  • Completion % – 5th, 65.7%; Average for career – 63.99%
  • Passing Yards – 5th, 4,633; Average for career – 4,164
  • Touchdown Passes – 2nd, 40; Average for career – 31
  • Interceptions – 5th, 12; Average for career – 10
  • Yards per attempt – 9th, 7.6; Average for career – 7.5

As is clear, not only are Brady’s numbers near the top for his career, they are in almost every case better or significantly better than his career averages. Father Time remains undefeated, but he appears to be slow-playing Brady with no clear end in sight.

Tony Romo’s contention that losing to Tom Brady in Super Bowl LV would be a significant defeat in Patrick Mahomes pursuit of greatness has some credence but still has a decent chance of being incorrect. In contrast, the idea that a victory would be a signature on Mahomes’ early career and would immediately inject him into the conversation of greatest of all time draws its credibility from things we can actually know.

This Tampa Bay Buccaneers team and this version of Tom Brady are both playing at an elite level. Patrick Mahomes has a chance to lead the Chiefs to a rare statement championship on Sunday evening.

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