Now that Super Bowl LVII has wrapped up with a Chiefs' victory and another efficient performance from Patrick Mahomes, everyone will be rushing to talk about where he stands all-time, etc. The more significant trend is Mahomes and the Chiefs becoming the new Tom Brady and New England Patriots. Brady retired earlier this month as the Greatest of All Time, but it's fitting that Mahomes and the Chiefs won the Super Bowl shortly after.
Mahomes is the most talented quarterback I've ever seen. He's on a great team with excellent coaching (kudos Andy Reid). Reid finally has the hardware to show for his work. He and Mahomes have taken the mantle from Bill Belichick and Brady. All the Patriots and Brady haters will soon move on to a new pastime of hating the Chiefs and Mahomes. This position comes with complaints of cheating, bad officiating, and many wins. I think the Chiefs' fans will accept all of it.
The one thing that could prevent this onslaught of Chiefs' hate is that Mahomes has the success of Brady but the marketability of Peyton Manning. Brady and the Patriots often "got the job done," sometimes in an ugly fashion. Manning, the Colts, and the Broncos were media darlings that seemingly everyone wanted to win. Mahomes combines the two. I know he's not as media savvy as the Manning family, but he could be well on his way. He has multiple ads out there and is finding his own schtick. Could he combine Brady's success with Manning's likeability?
The media and fans have been searching for the new Brady v Manning, but Mahomes might have ruined that narrative. The new rivalry could be more akin to an NBA narrative. In the 90s, everyone sought to take down Michael Jordan and the Bulls. The AFC will have several challengers to the throne. They have several talented, young quarterbacks to compete with Mahomes. Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson (wherever he ends up), Justin Herbert, and Trevor Lawrence all have a chance to take up the role of Mahomes' rival, but I think it'll be done by committee.
The AFC is the wild west of quarterbacks, and Mahomes remains the best gunslinger. I think that's the narrative. Who can take down the champ? Burrow did it once but lost in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, he won't get the same credit until he defeats him again or wins the Super Bowl. Josh Allen and the Bills seem to unravel in the playoffs every year. Can they put it together in the postseason? Herbert and the Chargers are a mess. Who knows what's going to happen in Baltimore? Then, of course, there is always the chance that Lawrence and the Jaguars take the next step. There's also the chance that they become a one-hit-wonder.
So, Mahomes is the new Brady. Can anyone stop him and the Chiefs? Probably not. We need to get used to this "new normal."
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