Patrick Mahomes has been anointed the top quarterback in the game by his peers and NFL media. Two 5,000-yard passing seasons, two All-Pro nods, and of course, winning two Super Bowl titles have placed him on that pedestal of greatness.
Yet, Mahomes decided to divert away from praising himself when it came to the topic of who delivered the greatest season ever for a quarterback — and instead told his teammate Travis Kelce on the “New Heights” podcast who delivered a better campaign.
Patrick Mahomes Gives Praise to Hall of Famer and Dolphins Legend Dan Marino
Mahomes, for all his current astronomical numbers, still believes Dan Marino had the better season than what he’s put together.
“It’s Marino. If you look at the stats, dude, his first season [as a starter], 48 touchdowns in that era? The best quarterback season that has to be in history,” Mahomes told his go-to target on the Kansas City Chiefs. “I don’t care what anyone says.”
Mahomes continued his praise for the Hall of Fame passer, saying, “That thing is one of the most special seasons, and then every single time that I’ve been putting together and end up breaking these records, it’s like ‘Dan Marino had 170 touchdowns in three years.’ And I’m like, ‘What?’ I thought they ran the ball back then!”
Mad respect from Mahomes on Marino. U can tell Kelce doesn’t know much about Dan, back in the 70s? 😂 pic.twitter.com/p0XUq56G0b
— Ivan. (@Blue42Dolfan) August 6, 2023
It was the 1984 season Mahomes was referring to — the one that witnessed Marino shatter a then-NFL record of 48 touchdown passes in a 16-game schedule while also throwing for 5,084 yards…another record at that time.
Mahomes, though, put together his own 5,097-yard, 50-touchdown campaign during a 16-game schedule in 2018, which was in his second season in the league.
Marino Also Delivered a Mahomes-Like Pass Before Mahomes
For younger NFL fans not familiar with Marino, just know the 2005 Pro Football Hall of Famer was considered ahead of his own time during the period he played.
Marino is best known for perfecting the art of the quick release — throwing the football in less than three seconds.
And that quick release led to this memorable moment in NFL lore from the 1994 season against the rival New York Jets while on the road…and with less than 30 seconds left to play and a chance at overtime. Marino, though, settled for this head-turner.
90's Football
Does it get any better than the Fake Spike game from Dan Marino?pic.twitter.com/AIzPuSqgaK
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) June 4, 2021
But, while Mahomes has grown popular with the football version of the no-look pass, Marino delivered this behind-the-back pass during the time he played — including this one that sailed 40 yards downfield.
For all the people talking about Patrick Mahomes’ behind the back pass
Check out Dan Marino casually doing it 40 yards down the field 👀
(🎥: @NFLLegacy) pic.twitter.com/R9J4sAbGu9
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) August 7, 2023
Marino went on to earn nine Pro Bowls in his illustrious career while leading the Dolphins to the 1984 season AFC title, the last conference championship for the franchise. He played all 17 NFL seasons with the Dolphins.