Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has often spoken about how Tom Brady has inspired him, saying the NFL legend gives him “something to strive for every single day” in his pursuit of being the greatest quarterback ever.
In a recent interview on The Joel Klatt Show, Brady acknowledged that he sees parts of himself in how Mahomes approaches his role as the Chiefs’ QB1.
“There’s a big difference between wanting to win and being willing to do whatever it takes to win,” Brady said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “Everyone wants to win, but the question is: are you building the habits and doing the things every single day that put your team in a position to succeed? To me, Patrick Mahomes does that better than anyone. It’s not just his talent—he understands his offense, he knows what it takes, and he brings that consistent, winning mindset to work every day. And when it matters most, he’s the guy you can count on.”
Brady, who retired in February 2023, holds a record seven Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl MVP awards. Mahomes, by comparison, has already won three Super Bowls and three Super Bowl MVPs—and he’s still only 29.
After the Chiefs fell short in their attempt to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, Mahomes appears even more driven heading into the new season.
According to a July 14 report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, NFL coaches, executives, and scouts ranked Mahomes as the league’s top quarterback—even though Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen is the reigning regular-season MVP. While Brady didn’t outright confirm those rankings, he did hint that he agrees.
“There are other guys who are still developing,” Brady said. “They’ve all shown flashes, and they’re incredibly talented. But to really take the next step, they need to take more ownership—not just on the field, but in the organization. That means helping lift everyone around them and getting people aligned with their vision for success.”
Brady has often said he learned more from losses than wins. If Mahomes takes that same approach, the rest of the league could be in for trouble when the Chiefs kick off their season in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, September 5.
