Patrick Mahomes outpaces most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history

Improvement In All-Time Great Quarterbacks

I was curious if the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history improved their numbers as they got older. So I decided to look at their yards per game started, touchdown passes per game started, completion percentage, and yards per attempt during their first four seasons as a starter compared to their career average.

I have those four areas listed for each quarterback below. A “plus” for this would indicate that the QB raised his average for his career over what he did in his first four years as a starter. A “minus” would indicate that his career numbers went down from what he did in his first four seasons as a starter.

Tom Brady

• Yards Per Game Started: +43 yards/game


• Touchdown Passes Per Game Started: +0.41 touchdowns/game


• Completions Percentage: +2.6%


• Yards Per Attempt: +0.6 yards/attempt

Drew Brees

• Yards Per Game Started: +71.9 yards/game


• Touchdown Passes Per Game Started: +0.64 touchdowns/game


• Completions Percentage: +5.4%


• Yards Per Attempt: +0.8 yards/attempt

Peyton Manning

• Yards Per Game Started: +15 yards/game


• Touchdown Passes Per Game Started: +0.3 touchdowns/game


• Completions Percentage: +4.3%


• Yards Per Attempt: +0.3 yards/attempt

Brett Favre

• Yards Per Game Started: -1.9 yards/game


• Touchdown Passes Per Game Started: -0.02 touchdowns/game


• Completions Percentage: -0.6%


• Yards Per Attempt: +0.2 yards/attempt

Three of the four most prolific quarterbacks of all time significantly improved their career averages over what they did in their first four seasons as a starter. The fourth, Brett Favre, basically saw his averages stay about the same (three of his stats went down, but just barely). This certainly opens the door for Mahomes to improve as his career continues.

Could the insanely high numbers he has put up early on make that difficult? Possibly, but even if his numbers do come down a little he’ll still be above where the greats ended. For instance, Mahomes is currently averaging over 300 yards per game started. Not only does that dwarf these other four quarterbacks’ early numbers, but it’s also significantly higher than the career averages of all four as well.

If Mahomes were to improve on that number as his career goes on AND he plays until he’s about 40 we could see him absolutely demolish the all-time career passing yards and passing touchdown numbers.

We all know that Patrick Mahomes is fantastic and has had an amazing start to his career. Obviously, we would love to see him match the Super Bowl success that Tom Brady has had since that is the ultimate goal every season. However, if we just take a moment to look at the numbers that Mahomes has put up early in his career it is hard not to get excited when you see how he is clearly outpacing the most prolific quarterbacks that the NFL has ever seen.

Check out my other offseason pieces below.

• How Travis Kelce’s numbers compare to the best tight ends of all time.


• AFC Power Rankings: Where do the Chiefs rank?


• Five Free Agents The Chiefs Should Sign Before Training Camp