The quarterback role in the NFL is both the most important and most demanding position in the sport. The player in this position sets the ceiling of their team.
A team can be packed to the brim with talent, but if they lack a quality quarterback, they are unlikely to achieve much success.
Patrick Mahomes is an example of an active quarterback who has spearheaded his team's successes in recent years. Mahomes already has two Super Bowl wins and two Finals MVPs which has undoubtedly earned him a place amongst the greatest ever to play the position.
Mahomes is far from finished
The Kansas City Chiefs star still has plenty of time to improve and collect more accolades, as he is aged just 28 and has only entered his prime in recent years.
The Chiefs could win another Super Bowl as soon as this season as they are one of the main contenders in the NFL odds at +450. Super Bowl betting suggests the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers are the most likely to become champions with both offered at +400.
Another resilient underdog success led by Mahomes would further help him climb the all-time rankings. We are perhaps witnessing the career of a player that will in the future be seen as the greatest of all time.
However, for now, we can only judge based on what Mahomes has achieved so far. Which all-time greats has he already passed, and who still lies ahead of him?
Mahomes has surpassed Aaron Rodgers
It is arguable and perhaps most would agree at this point that Mahomes’ achievements are already better than what Aaron Rodgers has put up throughout his career. Mahomes has the same number of visits to the Super Bowl as Rodgers but has more rings than him - two compared to one.
Mahomes also has two final MVPs, which shows he was the leading factor in his team becoming champions of the NFL on a remarkable two occasions. He has received the same amount of regular-season MVP awards too.
Rodgers has four regular season MVPs to his name, but final awards hold greater weight, as they define those who turn up on the greatest stage when the pressure is at its peak.
The Chiefs star man has certainly passed the likes of Miami Dolphins' great Dan Marino and John Elway as well as Rodgers. The former never won the Super Bowl, and the latter won two but did not capture the MVP awards, which Mahomes boasts.
Mahomes still trails four all-time greats
Mahomes has undoubtedly entered the top five rankings for the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time. Just three players remain undeniably ahead of him though.
First of all, Joe Montana still maintains an all-time spot ahead of Mahomes as he won four Super Bowls, and on three of those occasions, he won the MVP award.
Mahomes has certainly not matched the longevity of Peyton Manning yet too. Manning was featured in the NFL All-Pro team a remarkable 14 times and won a Super Bowl with each of the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.
His success at numerous franchises is what ultimately sets his and Mahomes' equal Super Bowl haul apart.
Tom Brady is, of course, ahead of Mahomes as he without doubt holds the number one spot, and it will be a tough ask for him to ever be caught by anybody. With seven Super Bowls to his name, five finals MVPs, and three regular-season MVPs, his legacy in the league seems insurmountable.
Mahomes has a tough job on his hands to continue to climb the all-time quarterback rankings. If he can continue to average a Super Bowl success every 2.5 years - as he has done so in the last half a decade - then he could potentially challenge the GOAT Brady by the time he heads into retirement.
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