Tom Brady talks about how Patrick Mahomes never surpassed him as GOAT

When Tom Brady finally bowed out of the NFL last February at the age of 45, he did so as the undisputed GOAT. But, just one year on, his legacy of a record seven Super Bowl titles is already under threat: and he goes by the name of Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes, aged 28, already has two Super Bowl rings to his name and, on Sunday, has the chance to make that three with victory over the very same San Francisco 49ers against whom he secured his first four years ago.

In doing so, Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs would also become the NFL’s first repeat champions since a certain Mr Brady and the New England Patriots accomplished the feat nearly two decades ago (2003 and 2004 seasons).

The 49ers, out for revenge, represent a formidable obstacle in Mahomes’ way of that third title, with San Francisco – led by play-calling savant Kyle Shanahan at head coach – boasting a top-five offense in all major categories, backed up by a defense which, though shaky at spells during the playoffs, has been one of the league’s more consistent units over the past few years.

The 49ers team also now have their answer at QB, with Jimmy Garoppolo and his overthrown deep ball for Emmanuel Sanders replaced by ‘Mr Irrelevant’ Brock Purdy – the 2023 season’s top-rated passer – who goes in search of his Super Bowl fairy-tale moment.

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Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada believes San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be able to handle the nerves during Super Bowl LVIII

But, whether Mahomes emerges from the neon-lit landscape of Las Vegas as a two or three-time Super Bowl champion, the target of Brady, and his seven rings, will continue to loom large.

Mahomes certainly sees Brady’s longevity in the game as his goal, with hopefully a two-handed haul of jewellery to match. “Fifteen years seems long, but Brady did it and some other guys have done it so, I’m going to strive to see if I can do it as well,” Mahomes said this week.

“I mean, I’m not even close to halfway [in my career]… ask me that question in 15 years, and I’ll see if I can get close to seven [rings]. But seven seems like a long way away still.”

He added: “My career goals have always been the same and it’s to not have any regrets. No matter what I do, I’m going to give everything I have to the game.

“Whatever that ends up with, how many Super Bowl rings that is, however many wins that is, I know that I gave everything I have.”

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Whether Mahomes ultimately matches Brady’s haul remains to be seen, but he is certainly keeping pace with him for early-career success.

Through seven seasons, Mahomes has the edge on Brady in every major category, his 28,424 passing yards and 231 total touchdowns dwarfing the GOAT’s 21,564 yards through the air and 150 total TDs at the same stage.

He also already has two league MVP awards to his name, with Brady not earning the first of his three until after his eighth season in the league. As for Super Bowl appearances, this is Mahomes’ fourth (Brady had three, winning them all), following on from reaching the AFC Championship game in each of his six seasons as a starter – an NFL first.