The debate over the greatest quarterback in NFL history has evolved dramatically in recent years. For decades, Tom Brady stood alone as the undisputed GOAT (Greatest of All Time), with a career that spanned 23 seasons, seven Super Bowl victories, and an unparalleled legacy of clutch performances. But as Brady transitioned into retirement in 2023, a new titan emerged in Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar quarterback, whose meteoric rise has sparked conversations about whether he could one day surpass Brady’s monumental achievements. At just 29 years old as of early 2025, Mahomes is already a three-time Super Bowl champion, with a statistical profile that demands comparison to Brady’s storied career.
This piece dives deep into the numbers, breaking down the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats debate to explore their regular season dominance, playoff heroics, Super Bowl performances, and head-to-head matchups. Beyond the raw data, we’ll examine the context of their eras, the evolution of the NFL, and the intangibles that make each quarterback a legend in their own right. Let’s unpack this generational clash and see how the numbers tell the story of two of the greatest to ever play the game.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Stats: Regular Season Mastery
When comparing Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats in the regular season, the contrast between longevity and early-career brilliance comes into sharp focus. Brady’s career, spanning from 2000 to 2022, saw him amass staggering totals: 89,214 passing yards, 649 touchdowns, and 212 interceptions across 335 games, with a passer rating of 97.2. These numbers reflect a quarterback who played through multiple eras of NFL football, adapting to rule changes, evolving offensive schemes, and varying levels of talent around him. Brady’s consistency is remarkable—his 15 Pro Bowl selections and three NFL MVP awards (2007, 2010, 2017) underscore a career defined by sustained excellence.
Patrick Mahomes, on the other hand, has been a statistical juggernaut since becoming the Chiefs’ starter in 2018. Through the 2024 regular season, Mahomes has played in 111 games, throwing for 32,105 yards, 253 touchdowns, and 61 interceptions, with a passer rating of 102.1. His per-game averages are staggering: Mahomes leads NFL history with 300.7 passing yards per game, compared to Brady’s 265.4, which ranks eighth all-time. Mahomes also averages 30.2 touchdowns per season, slightly ahead of Brady’s 28.4. His efficiency metrics are equally impressive—Mahomes ranks second all-time in passer rating and is tied for seventh in yards per attempt, metrics where he consistently outperforms Brady’s career averages.
However, raw totals favor Brady due to his longevity. Mahomes would need to maintain his current pace for another 15 years to approach Brady’s career passing yards and touchdowns, a daunting task given the physical toll of the NFL. Yet, when we adjust for era, Mahomes’ numbers shine brighter. The modern NFL, with its pass-friendly rules and 17-game seasons, gives Mahomes an edge in per-game production, but Brady’s ability to thrive in a less quarterback-friendly era—particularly early in his career—adds a layer of complexity to this comparison. Mahomes’ two NFL MVP awards (2018, 2022) in his first seven seasons outpace Brady, who didn’t win his first MVP until 2007, his 10th season as a starter.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Playoff Stats: The Ultimate Test
Playoff performance is where legends are made, and the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes playoff stats comparison reveals a fascinating battle between sustained greatness and early dominance. Brady’s playoff resume is the gold standard: 48 starts, a 35-13 record (.729 winning percentage), 13,400 passing yards (279.2 yards per game), 88 touchdown passes, and 40 interceptions. His seven Super Bowl victories are the most by any player in NFL history, and his five Super Bowl MVP awards cement his reputation as the ultimate clutch performer.
Mahomes, as of his 21st playoff start heading into Super Bowl LIX in 2025, boasts a 17-4 record (.810 winning percentage), 5,814 passing yards (276.8 yards per game), 46 touchdowns (39 passing, 7 rushing), and 10 interceptions, with a passer rating of 105.4. His playoff efficiency is staggering—Mahomes has never missed an AFC Championship game as a starter, and his 17 playoff wins rank second all-time behind Brady, surpassing Joe Montana’s 16. Mahomes’ adjusted net yards per attempt (ANY/A) in the playoffs stands at 7.49, significantly higher than Brady’s 5.87 through his first 21 playoff starts, reflecting Mahomes’ superior efficiency under pressure.
What sets Mahomes apart is his dual-threat capability. He has more rushing touchdowns and first downs in the playoffs than Brady, despite playing in 27 fewer games. Brady, known for his quarterback sneaks, amassed 1,001 rushing yards over his career, but Mahomes’ 2,243 rushing yards through 2024 highlight his ability to extend plays and create with his legs—a dimension Brady never had. However, Brady’s longevity and clutch moments—like his Super Bowl LI comeback against the Falcons, overcoming a 28-3 deficit—give him an edge in playoff lore. Mahomes’ three Super Bowl wins in his first seven seasons match Brady’s pace at the same point, but Brady’s additional four rings over the next 15 years set a high bar.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl Stats: Defining Greatness
Super Bowl performances are the pinnacle of NFL achievement, and the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Super Bowl stats comparison offers a window into their respective legacies. Brady played in 10 Super Bowls, going 7-3, with 3,039 passing yards (303.9 yards per game), 21 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, earning a passer rating of 97.7. His five Super Bowl MVP awards highlight his ability to deliver on the biggest stage, with iconic performances like Super Bowl XLIX against the Seahawks, where he threw for 328 yards and four touchdowns.
Mahomes, heading into Super Bowl LIX, has appeared in five Super Bowls, with a 3-1 record as of his fourth appearance. Across those four games, he threw for 1,071 yards (267.8 yards per game), seven touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a passer rating of 92.3. Mahomes has been named Super Bowl MVP in all three of his wins, a feat unmatched in NFL history—if he wins a third consecutive Super Bowl MVP in 2025, he’ll further close the gap with Brady’s five. However, Mahomes’ Super Bowl LV loss to Brady’s Buccaneers—where he threw for 270 yards and two interceptions in a 31-9 defeat—remains a blemish, though the Chiefs’ offensive line struggles played a significant role.
Brady’s Super Bowl stats benefit from a larger sample size, and his efficiency (1.8 interception percentage) edges out Mahomes (2.5%). Yet, Mahomes’ ability to lead the Chiefs to five Super Bowls in six years—a feat Brady never accomplished—speaks to his early-career dominance. If Mahomes wins Super Bowl LIX, he’ll have four rings in eight seasons, surpassing Brady’s three at the same point in his career. The Super Bowl stage highlights Mahomes’ potential to challenge Brady’s legacy, but Brady’s seven rings remain the ultimate benchmark.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Head-to-Head Stats: A Rivalry for the Ages
The Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes head-to-head stats provide a direct lens into their competitive history, as their careers overlapped for five seasons (2018-2022). The two quarterbacks faced off six times, splitting the series 3-3. Mahomes dominated the regular season, going 3-1 with wins in 2019 (23-16), 2020 (27-24), and 2022 (41-31), throwing for 1,346 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions across those games. Brady’s lone regular-season win came in 2018, a 43-40 thriller where he threw for 340 yards and a touchdown.
In the playoffs, however, Brady holds a perfect 2-0 record. Their first postseason clash came in the 2018 AFC Championship, where Brady’s Patriots outlasted the Chiefs 37-31 in overtime, with Brady throwing for 348 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Their second meeting was Super Bowl LV in 2021, where Brady’s Buccaneers dominated Mahomes’ Chiefs 31-9. Brady was efficient, completing 21 of 29 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while Mahomes struggled, completing 26 of 49 passes for 270 yards and two interceptions under relentless defensive pressure.
Head-to-head, their passing stats are close: Brady completed 109 of 164 passes (66.4%) for 1,239 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions, while Mahomes completed 109 of 162 passes (67.2%) for 1,346 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Mahomes’ mobility gave him an edge, with 16 rushes for 77 yards compared to Brady’s six rushes for 21 yards. While Mahomes’ regular-season success shows his ability to outduel Brady, Brady’s playoff victories—particularly in the Super Bowl—reinforce his clutch reputation.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Career Stats: Longevity vs. Peak Performance
A broader look at Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes career stats highlights the contrast between Brady’s longevity and Mahomes’ peak performance. Brady’s career totals—89,214 yards, 649 touchdowns, 212 interceptions—are a testament to his 23-year career, during which he played in three distinct phases: the early 2000s with a defense-heavy Patriots team, the 2007-2018 era with elite weapons like Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski, and his final years with the Buccaneers. His 64.3% completion percentage and 97.2 passer rating reflect a quarterback who prioritized winning over gaudy stats, though his 2007 season (4,806 yards, 50 touchdowns) and 2021 season (5,316 yards, 43 touchdowns at age 44) show his ability to dominate statistically.
Mahomes’ career stats through 2024—32,105 yards, 253 touchdowns, 61 interceptions—reflect a shorter but more explosive tenure. His 66.6% completion percentage and 102.1 passer rating outpace Brady, and his 2,243 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns add a dimension Brady lacked. Mahomes’ 2018 season (5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns) and 2022 season (5,250 yards, 41 touchdowns) are among the best in NFL history, and his consistency is remarkable: he’s never thrown fewer than 26 touchdowns in a season as a starter.
Projecting Mahomes’ career trajectory, if he plays as long as Brady (335 games), he could finish with roughly 96,781 passing yards, 739 touchdowns, and 220 interceptions, potentially surpassing Brady’s totals. However, this assumes Mahomes maintains his current pace and avoids injuries, a tall order in the modern NFL. Brady’s ability to play at an elite level into his 40s—throwing for 27,548 yards and 193 touchdowns after age 40—sets a standard Mahomes may struggle to match, especially given Mahomes’ more physical playing style.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes MVP Awards: Measuring Individual Excellence
MVP awards are a key metric in the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats debate, as they reflect individual dominance in a team sport. Brady won three NFL MVP awards (2007, 2010, 2017), with his first coming at age 30 in a record-breaking 2007 season (4,806 yards, 50 touchdowns). His other MVPs came in seasons where he led the Patriots to Super Bowl appearances, showcasing his ability to elevate his team. Brady’s five Super Bowl MVP awards further highlight his impact in the biggest games.
Mahomes has two NFL MVP awards (2018, 2022) in his first seven seasons, outpacing Brady’s early career. His 2018 MVP season (5,097 yards, 50 touchdowns) set the tone for his career, and his 2022 MVP season (5,250 yards, 41 touchdowns) came despite a perceived “down year” for the Chiefs’ offense. Mahomes’ three Super Bowl MVP awards match his three Super Bowl wins, a perfect record that gives him an edge over Brady’s five MVPs across seven wins. If Mahomes wins a third MVP, he’ll tie Brady’s regular-season total, and his youth suggests he has time to surpass him.
However, Brady’s MVPs came in an era with stiffer competition—quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees were in their prime during Brady’s early career, while Mahomes has faced a less crowded field, with Lamar Jackson and Aaron Rodgers as his primary rivals. The MVP comparison favors Mahomes’ early dominance, but Brady’s sustained excellence keeps him ahead for now.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Era Comparison: Context Matters
The Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats debate cannot be fully understood without considering the eras in which they played. Brady’s career began in 2000, an era where the NFL was more physical, with fewer protections for quarterbacks and a greater emphasis on defense and the running game. Early in his career, Brady relied on a stout Patriots defense and a balanced offensive approach, as evidenced by his first three Super Bowl wins (2001, 2003, 2004). The NFL evolved significantly during Brady’s tenure—by the 2010s, rule changes favored passing offenses, and Brady adapted, posting some of his best statistical seasons in his 30s and 40s.
Mahomes entered the league in 2017, in an NFL that prioritizes passing and quarterback protection. The 17-game season, expanded playoffs, and rules limiting defensive contact have boosted Mahomes’ per-game stats. He’s also benefited from Andy Reid’s innovative offensive schemes and elite weapons like Tyreek Hill (early in his career) and Travis Kelce. However, Mahomes faces a “Golden Age of Quarterbacks,” with contemporaries like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson providing fierce competition, whereas Brady’s primary rivals (Manning, Brees) were less dynamic in the postseason.
Era-adjusted metrics like touchdown percentage show Brady’s 2007 season (53% above league average) as more impressive than Mahomes’ 2018 season (44% above league average). Yet, Mahomes’ ability to dominate in a more competitive quarterback landscape—while also adding a rushing element—suggests he might be the more talented player, even if Brady’s longevity and adaptability give him the edge in overall impact.
Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes Legacy: Who Will Be the GOAT?
The Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats comparison ultimately feeds into the larger question of their legacies. Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings, 35 playoff wins, and 15 Pro Bowl selections make him the current GOAT, a title earned through two decades of excellence. His ability to win with different teams (Patriots, Buccaneers), coaches (Bill Belichick, Bruce Arians), and rosters underscores his versatility and leadership. Brady’s off-field impact—transitioning to a broadcaster with FOX in 2025—further cements his place in NFL history.
Mahomes, at 29, is on an unprecedented trajectory. His five Super Bowl appearances in six years, three rings, and three Super Bowl MVPs match Brady’s early-career pace, and his statistical dominance suggests he could challenge Brady’s records if he sustains his excellence. A win in Super Bowl LIX would give Mahomes four rings in eight seasons, a feat that would put him on track to surpass Brady if he plays another 10-15 years. Mahomes’ improvisational skills, like his behind-the-back passes and scrambling ability, add a flair Brady never had, making him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defenses.
The GOAT debate hinges on longevity versus peak performance. Brady’s career is a testament to enduring greatness, while Mahomes represents a new standard of early dominance. If Mahomes can approach Brady’s ring count while maintaining his statistical edge, he may one day claim the GOAT title—but for now, Brady’s throne remains secure.
The Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes stats debate reveals two quarterbacks who have redefined greatness in their own ways. Brady’s career is a masterclass in longevity, adaptability, and clutch performance, with numbers that reflect a 23-year journey to seven Super Bowl titles. Mahomes, meanwhile, is a statistical prodigy, dominating the modern NFL with efficiency, versatility, and a flair that captivates fans. Their head-to-head matchups, playoff heroics, and Super Bowl performances show how closely matched they are, despite playing in different eras.
As Mahomes continues his ascent, the question isn’t whether he’ll challenge Brady’s legacy—he already has. The real question is whether he can sustain his brilliance long enough to surpass the GOAT. For now, Brady holds the crown, but Mahomes is knocking on the door, one jaw-dropping performance at a time.