NFL analyst Jason Whitlock had a scathing review of Patrick Mahomes’ career, saying it will never live up to those of Tom Brady, Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan, especially because he was a first-round pick in the draft, which doesn’t exactly make sense considering the comparisons.
Brady is the only one from Whitlock’s examples to be a late-round selection. Jordan is considered the greatest of all time in the NBA and he was the third overall draft pick, while Woods displayed greatness from an early age.
“I wanted to say this about Patrick Mahomes – what we’re finding out. Talented, Hall of Fame quarterback, going to go down in history as one of the top 10 quarterbacks, maybe top 5 of all time… But he does not have Tom Brady’s drive,” Whitlock said. “Winning isn’t as important to him as it was for Tom Brady. Some of that has to do with Mahomes was a first-round pick, the [Kansas City] Chiefs went up to get him I think in the top 10 of the draft, Tom Brady – chip on his shoulder, sixth-round pick, always had that chip on his shoulder.
“The Chiefs and Mahomes are a bit satisfied. Pat Mahomes is in any commercial he wants to be in, he’s got two MVPs, two Super Bowls – he doesn’t have a peer. Take Brady, he was always competing with Peyton Manning. Who is Patrick Mahomes competing with? Nobody. Patrick Mahomes isn’t Tom Brady, he’s not Tiger Woods, he’s not Michael Jordan.
” He’s just a super-talented guy. When I look at how their offense is backed up and he’s having a mediocre season, he’s a bit satisfied right now, his tight end is a bit distracted right now, he doesn’t have Tyreek Hill, and so he’s got some excuses and going through the motions.”
Is Patrick Mahomes overrated?
Whitlock claimed that not having Hill anymore and that Travis Kelce dating Taylor Swift could be excuses for Mahomes’ struggles this season, though the Chiefs remain AFC favorites to reach the Super Bowl.
Mahomes is held to higher standards than any other active QB, so Whitlock’s criticism shouldn’t surprise anybody, especially since even he said the Chiefs QB will be a top-5 quarterback when it’s all said and done.
Whitlock’s only point is that Mahomes does not have the greatness gene of Brady, Woods and Jordan, but he already has two Super Bowl MVP awards and has been the league’s most valuable player twice.
Mahomes is in his seventh season in the NFL. Jordan didn’t win his first ring until year seven before going on a historic championship run over the next decade.
