The term ‘greatest of all time’ is bandied about a lot in sport these days. The phrase is used extensively online and in everyday life now to refer to an individual who has achieved a level of greatness in their field that comes around once in a generation.
The true best of the best.
The NFL has a host of candidates that can lay claim to this title, but Patrick Mahomes is already making his case, just seven seasons into his NFL career.
There is not much that can be said anymore without sounding like a broken record when talking about the transcendent quarterback. Football fans all know how good Mahomes is, but he still took it upon himself in the postseason to remind everyone of his talent after a regular season that was perceived as a down year by the Kansas City Chiefs’ lofty standards.
The team ended up with an 11-6 regular season record, the worst in the Mahomes era. The Chiefs’ receiving corps was plagued by issues with drops throughout the season. Lapses in concentration cost them wins. Star tight end Travis Kelce, playing in his 11th NFL campaign, showed some signs of aging.
And yet, Mahomes won his third career Vince Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, leading his team in a comeback overtime victory against the San Francisco 49ers and claiming his third Super Bowl MVP. The Chiefs became the first team since the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick-led New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004 to win back-to-back titles in the process.
Mahomes became the first player in the history of the four major US sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL) to win the championship MVP award three times in his first seven seasons, according to Opta.
This was supposed to be the year where a few cracks might be appearing in the Chiefs dynasty, but we have been taught to never bet against the Kansas City quarterback.
“I already consider Mahomes the best, and if he wins this one, it’s done. Like I’m good.
I’ve seen enough,” Nate Tice, a former NFL coach and scout who is now a football writer and podcaster, told CNN Sport prior to the Super Bowl.
His peers are starting things this way too.
“He’s doing things that very few quarterbacks have done,” said Kelce after the game on Sunday. “Give that man his crown!”
Mahomes even has players on opposing teams arguing his case, like Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, who voiced his opinion on social media after the game.
