Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs failed in their quest for a three-peat after being defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles 40-22 in Super Bowl 59. The game was never as close as the final score indicates as the Eagles led 34-0 at one point.
The fallout from Kansas City’s loss has been head-scratching as the narrative that Mahomes tarnished his legacy after one bad loss has started. Yes, Super Bowl 59 was a thorough beatdown, but saying the quarterback will never recover from it is outrageous.
Many former players have come to Mahomes’ aid, taking to X to let their thoughts be known.
Four Former Players Defend Patrick Mahomes on Social Media
Mahomes was the first to say he didn’t play to his expectations in Super Bowl 59. He finished 21 of 32 for 257 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions, but the final stat line looks better than how he played throughout the game. Both of his interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Cooper DeJean, came in the first half, and he finished the opening half with just 33 passing yards.
Kansas City gained 11 yards on its first play from scrimmage but that was the team’s only first down the entire half. The dominant Philadelphia pass rush exposed the Chiefs’ ongoing offensive line issues sacking Mahomes six times and never letting him get in rhythm.
It was a bad game across the board for the Chiefs. Bad games happen but saying Mahomes tarnished his legacy is uncalled for. He’s still the current GOAT and multiple former players, including one former teammate, had his back.
The mud slinging on Patrick Mahomes after a bad game in his 5th Super Bowl in 7 years is ABSOLUTELY BONKERS. He is still the best QB in the Galaxy and the 2nd Greatest of All-Time. Stop the madness.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 11, 2025
Former quarterback Robert Griffin III said, “The mud slinging on Patrick Mahomes after a bad game in his 5th Super Bowl in 7 years is ABSOLUTELY BONKERS. He is still the best QB in the Galaxy and the 2nd Greatest of All-Time. Stop the madness.” Responses to Griffin’s tweet were fairly tame with some thinking Mahomes is the third-best quarterback behind Tom Brady and Joe Montana.
Some of the Mahomes stuff today is lol. He’s only 3-2 in the 5 Super Bowls he’s started in his first seven seasons as a starter in the NFL. The horror.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) February 11, 2025
Former offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz also weighed in, “Some of the Mahomes stuff today is lol. He’s only 3-2 in the 5 Super Bowls he’s started in his first seven seasons as a starter in the NFL. The horror.” It’s a similar statement to Griffin with a bit more sarcasm. The first response brought up how it took Brady 10 years to make his fifth Super Bowl so Mahomes is still ahead of schedule. This also had people responding that the NFL scripted the game against Kansas City, take that for what it’s worth.
With all due respect to my sports media colleagues – I’m amazed at all the RIDICULOUS statements made based on the outcome of 1 game!!! Take a deep breath ppl, then revisit in a couple days with a clear head!!!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) February 11, 2025
Another former quarterback, Kurt Warner, chimed in, “With all due respect to my sports media colleagues – I’m amazed at all the RIDICULOUS statements made based on the outcome of 1 game!!! Take a deep breath ppl, then revisit in a couple days with a clear head!!!” The Hall-of-Famer was a bit more demonstrative with his defense strongly calling out fellow media members for making ill-advised hot takes rather than well-thought-out statements.
Someone is going to have to explain to me how a 29 year old’s legacy is tarnished because after the best 7 year start to a career and getting closer than anyone in history to winning 3 straight Super Bowls, one bad game from basically the entire team diminishes that legacy??
— Mitchell Schwartz (@MitchSchwartz71) February 11, 2025
The final defense of Mahomes comes from his former teammate Mitchell Schwartz. The offensive lineman nearly went scorched earth in a thread defending his former quarterback. He began with, “Someone is going to have to explain to me how a 29 year old’s legacy is tarnished because after the best 7 year start to a career and getting closer than anyone in history to winning 3 straight Super Bowls, one bad game from basically the entire team diminishes that legacy??”
Schwartz played for Kansas City from 2016 to 2020 and blocked for Mahomes his first three years as the starter. He went on to compare his quarterback to Brady and Tiger Woods, “Tiger missed cuts in majors even at the height of his powers. Brady had a 16-0 team and lost to a 10-6 team. Missed the playoffs his 2nd year starting. Lost multiple playoff games to teams who threw for less than 100 yards but that doesn’t matter b/c it wasn’t in the Super Bowl?”
He continued, “The dynamic has gotten very weird where you have to not only win #Ringz but you also get docked this bad for a Super Bowl loss when you’re doing unprecedented things before the age of 30. Brady is the most accomplished QB ever, it’s going to take years to compare their résumés.” This is a fair point. Super Bowl wins is the most important stat for a quarterback, but it’s over the top to bash a guy who had a bad night while still having a winning record in the big game.
Schwartz then broke down how Mahomes stacks up to Brady, “Brady’s legacy wasn’t tarnished in 07 when his OL had a bad game, he didn’t play up to standards, and they lost to an inferior team. Wasn’t tarnished for missing the playoffs in year 2. It happens. Everything is so damn reactionary these days.” That is the only player Mahomes will ever be compared to, and the former Chief continued backing his teammate.
“I know everyone has pointed out that Brady was 3-2 in his first 5 Super Bowls, at age 34. That he went 10 years between wins 3 and 4 (age 37). From 2005 through 2013: 9-8 playoff record, two SB losses to those Giants, 32 TD-19 INT, missed playoffs once, first round exit twice.” These are facts that point to Mahomes being ahead of schedule in his pursuit of Brady.
He concluded with, “So let’s pump the brakes on all the comparisons and appreciate what we’ve gotten the last 7 years from Pat. It’s been an unprecedented start to a career that has changed the dynamics of football. Teams adapted, he adapted. It’s legendary, it’s historic. Enjoy it.”
Clearly, many former players believe that saying Mahomes’ legacy will never recover from the recent loss is outrageous. Plenty of experts around the league still feel he’s the best quarterback playing today and there’s only a handful of teams who wouldn’t take him right now. As long as Andy Reid keeps coaching, Mahomes has a chance to surpass Brady. But certainly, it’s not fair to let one bad game define a legacy as towering as Mahomes’.
