Patrick Mahomes continues to strengthen his case for the Greatest of All Time title as he heads into Super Bowl 59. Often compared to the great Tom Brady, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback could achieve what the Hall of Famer didn’t — winning three consecutive Super Bowls.
But ahead of the Super Bowl, an NFL legend has stirred up the conversation by comparing Mahomes with Hall of Famer quarterback John Elway.
NFL Legend Reveals Similarities Between Patrick Mahomes and John Elway
It’s perfectly reasonable to admit that Mahomes’ résumé at this point in his career is as good as we’ve seen. But beyond his extraordinary stats on the field, the Kansas City quarterback possesses immense mental strength and brings calm into the Chiefs’ huddle akin to NFL legend John Elway, per three-time Super Bowl champion Mark Schlereth.
Schlereth played with Elway for three seasons on the Denver Broncos in the late 1990s; during a recent episode of “Breakfast Ball,” he revealed that the legendary quarterback’s presence in the team huddle brought a new level of confidence to the team regardless of the match situation they used to be in.
“When Elway walked in the huddle, there was a calming effect because he’s John freaking Elway, and regardless of what the situation was in the game, you got him right where you want to. You could be down by 14, and you’re like, ‘All right,'” he said
Schlereth compared Elway’s quality with Mahomes, insisting that the quarterback’s presence spread positivity in the Chiefs squad.
“When Patrick Mahomes walks in the huddle, there’s a calming effect. Regardless of what the situation is, we are going to make the plays that we need to make to win a football game. And that confidence, man, that confidence permeates a roster.”
.@markschlereth compares playing with Patrick Mahomes to his time with John Elway 💪
"When Elway walked into the huddle, there was a calming effect… And regardless of the situation, we got them right where we want them." pic.twitter.com/ob5L3sJN30
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) January 31, 2025
Elway has praised Mahomes and even hailed him as “the best football player in the league” when he signed the historic 10-year, $450 million contract extension with the Chiefs in 2020. He, however, felt Mahomes was underpaid.
And besides his comparisons with Tom Brady and other NFL legends, Mahomes has been likened to Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods as well.
Colin Cowherd Explains Similarities Between Mahomes, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods
Cowherd was discussing the Chiefs’ clinical AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills and revealed that watching Mahomes play freely in pressure games reminded him of basketball’s greatest, Jordan, and golf legend Woods.
“In these big games — MJ, Tiger on a Sunday, Mahomes yesterday [2024 AFC Championship] — they get to show off; there’s no curfew, do what you have to do, there’s no tomorrow,” he said. “They [Chiefs] scored their most points, Mahomes had his season high in carries, from the first, organized, efficient, and lethal drive of the game until the last, they were a better team on the biggest plays.”
"It reminded me of Tiger Woods and MJ… Mahomes, as great as he is, elevates and expands in these games."
— @ColinCowherd on Chiefs advancing to third straight Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/U7bMekFJQf
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 27, 2025
Mahomes delivered his best QB+ score of the 2024 season in the AFC Championship game across his 18 games, his highest playoff score in PFN’s database, which dates back to 2019. He had 245 passing yards, one touchdown, 43 rushing yards, and two rushing scores in the win.
His magical run comes off the back of a regular season where he finished 10th in PFN’s QB+ metric and is now one win away from a historic three-peat with the Chiefs.