Patrick Mahomes outpaces most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs toward the end zone while celebrating a touchdown scored by Tyreek Hill #10 during the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – JANUARY 23: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs toward the end zone while celebrating a touchdown scored by Tyreek Hill #10 during the fourth quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

First Four Seasons as a Starter

Peyton Manning


  • 64 games started

  • 16,418 passing yards

  • 111 passing touchdowns

  • 81 interceptions

  • 61% completions

  • 7.4 yards per attempt

Patrick Mahomes


  • 62 games started

  • 18,707 passing yards

  • 151 passing touchdowns

  • 36 interceptions

  • 66.1% completions

  • 8.1 yards per attempt

Tom Brady


  • 62 games started

  • 13,919 passing yards

  • 97 passing touchdowns

  • 52 interceptions

  • 61.6% completions

  • 6.9 yards per attempt

Brett Favre


  • 61 games started

  • 14,825 passing yards

  • 108 passing touchdowns

  • 64 interceptions

  • 62.6% completions

  • 6.9 yards per attempt

Drew Brees


  • 58 games started

  • 12,127 passing yards

  • 79 passing touchdowns

  • 53 interceptions

  • 62.3% completions

  • 6.8 yards per attempt

The other four simply don’t hold up to the numbers that Mahomes has put up in his first four seasons as a starter. Period. Now to be fair, there is one area where Brady has the edge over Mahomes in their first four seasons as a starter.

While Brady and Mahomes have the best winning percentage in their first four seasons as a starter (Brady was 48-14 and Mahomes was 49-13), Brady won three Super Bowls in his first four seasons as a starter. That’s just amazing. While Mahomes getting to four straight AFC Championships, making two Super Bowls, and winning one is way better than what the other three quarterbacks did to start their career, there is no arguing that Brady has the edge in postseason success to start his career.

Finally, let’s look and see if there is reason to believe that Mahomes numbers could still improve despite his amazing start to his career.