Tim Benz discusses strategies for Patrick Mahomes to achieve the level of success currently held by Tom Brady, as well as the sole method through which the Steelers could potentially rival Mahomes’ accomplishments.
Following Patrick Mahomes’ triumph in securing his third Super Bowl Trophy and third Super Bowl MVP title with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, the focus of Pittsburgh’s sports talk radio shifted to three primary discussions:
1. Will Mahomes eventually surpass Tom Brady?
2. Is Mahomes currently superior to Brady?
3. How can the Steelers hope to compete with the Chiefs if the first two points hold true?
My succinct responses to these queries are as follows:
1. It’s improbable but not impossible.
2. Up to this juncture, he has demonstrated superiority.
3. Given the significant gap between the Steelers and the Chiefs, it’s unlikely they’ll ever catch up; thus, it might be prudent to avoid direct confrontation.
First, let’s address the third point. The disparity between the Steelers and the Chiefs is substantial, rendering discussions about bridging that gap futile. However, drawing from history and the comparison with Brady, the most viable strategy for overcoming Mahomes might involve another team defeating him on behalf of the Steelers.
Reflecting on the Steelers’ history with Brady and the Patriots, their success largely stemmed from avoiding crucial encounters with them. Although the Steelers managed to defeat New England a few times at home during the regular season, they faltered in playoff matchups, including losses in AFC Championship Games. Notably, during the Ben Roethlisberger-Bill Cowher-Mike Tomlin era, the Steelers advanced to the Super Bowl without having to defeat the Patriots en route. This pattern suggests that if the Steelers aspire to challenge Mahomes and the Chiefs, external factors may play a crucial role, akin to Bart Scott’s resurgence or Jake Plummer’s return from retirement.
Regarding the comparison between Mahomes and Brady, up to the age of 28, both quarterbacks boast three Super Bowl victories. However, Mahomes holds the edge with three Super Bowl MVP titles compared to Brady’s two at the same age. Notably, Mahomes has overcome formidable AFC opponents in playoff scenarios, although he did suffer defeats to Brady, including in Super Bowl LV. Comparatively, Brady hadn’t faced all his significant AFC rivals in playoffs by 28 but eventually triumphed over notable names like Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Joe Flacco. Despite his losses to Eli Manning and the Giants in Super Bowls and struggles in Denver, Brady’s achievements stand testament to his prowess.
Both quarterbacks have benefited from exceptional coaching, talented receivers, and stellar tight ends. However, Mahomes’ style leans towards flashiness and improvisation, contrasting with Brady’s precision and efficiency. Mahomes exhibits a broader skill set and utilizes his legs more effectively, leading me to favor him over Brady up to age 28.
