See how the stats of two NFL legends, Patrick Mahomes vs. Tom Brady, is shockingly similar

As Patrick Mahomes continues his pursuit of NFL greatness, comparisons to Tom Brady have become inevitable. Both quarterbacks have achieved incredible success early in their careers, fueling debates over who will ultimately be the greatest of all time (GOAT). After eight seasons, Mahomes’ stats closely resemble Brady’s at the same stage of his career. If Mahomes secures another Super Bowl victory, he could even surpass Brady’s early trajectory.

Mahomes vs. Brady: A Look at Their Early Career Success

The similarities between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes after eight seasons are striking. Both played only one game in their rookie year before becoming full-time starters in their second season. However, Mahomes has the edge in playoff consistency, as the Kansas City Chiefs have reached the postseason in each of his first seven full seasons. In contrast, Brady’s New England Patriots missed the playoffs once in his second season as a starter.

Now, with Mahomes leading the Chiefs to their fifth Super Bowl appearance, he has already cemented himself as a generational talent. If his career continues on this path, he might not need 23 seasons to challenge Brady’s record-breaking achievements.

Super Bowl Appearances: Who Has the Edge?

Super Bowl victories define an NFL quarterback’s legacy, and Tom Brady holds the record with seven championships—more than any other player in history. His first Super Bowl win came in 2002, when he led the Patriots to a 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams in the Superdome, the same stadium hosting Super Bowl 59.

Brady’s most recent Super Bowl victory came in Super Bowl 55, where he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a dominant 31-9 win over Mahomes and the Chiefs. That game remains Mahomes’ only Super Bowl loss. However, if Mahomes wins Super Bowl 59, he will claim his fourth ring, surpassing Brady’s pace at the same career stage.

Only two other quarterbacks—Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw—have won four Super Bowls, a milestone Mahomes could achieve before turning 30 years old.

Brady vs. Mahomes: Key Passing Statistics

While Tom Brady remains the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, Patrick Mahomes has already positioned himself among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. A closer look at their numbers reveals how closely they compare:

• Completion percentage: Mahomes leads with 66.6%, slightly ahead of Brady’s 64.3%. However, in Brady’s final years with Tampa Bay, his rate improved to 66.7%.
• Interception percentage: Both quarterbacks have an identical 1.8% interception rate per 100 pass attempts, showcasing their efficiency and decision-making.
• Yards per attempt: Mahomes holds a slight edge, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt compared to Brady’s 7.4 yards.

If Mahomes continues at his current pace, he could challenge many of Brady’s NFL records—and in significantly fewer seasons.

The Evolution of the NFL: Two Generations, One Overlapping Era

Unlike past GOAT debates, Tom Brady’s career overlapped with Patrick Mahomes’, allowing for a direct comparison between two of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks. This overlap provides a unique perspective, as the league evolved to emphasize passing more than ever before.

In his final seasons, Brady’s stats aligned more closely with the high-efficiency numbers Mahomes has posted throughout his career. This is unlike comparisons in other sports—such as Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James—where players competed in entirely different eras.

If Mahomes continues to dominate, he has a legitimate chance to rewrite the NFL record books and challenge Brady’s GOAT status. While it remains to be seen if Mahomes can sustain his success for two decades, his trajectory suggests he is well on his way to legendary status.