But they we’re undefeated on the biggest stage....But I also think it’s ridiculous that some people seem to think it’s not a big deal. To me it is a big deal. Montana was clutch AF. There’s a reason he was the goat before brady
It absolutely IS no big deal. It is in fact a
nothing-burger.
If losing in the Super Bowl is a stigma relative to losing earlier, then what you are saying is that this year teams like Jacksonville, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, and (let's take it to the absurd extremes) the Indianapolis Colts and even the Cleveland Browns had more successful seasons than the Patriots did, since "
they did not lose a Super Bowl".
look at it this way, and it is clear:
In his best season, Tom Brady won a Super Bowl.
In his best season, Joe Montana won a Super Bowl.
(tie)
In his next best season, Tom Brady won a Super Bowl.
In his next best season, Joe Montana won a Super Bowl.
(tie)
In his 3rd best season, Tom Brady won a Super Bowl.
In his 3rd best season, Joe Montana won a Super Bowl.
(tie)
In his 4th best season, Tom Brady won a Super Bowl.
In his 4th best season, Joe Montana won a Super Bowl.
(tie)
In his 5th best season, Tom Brady won a Super Bowl.
In his 5th best season, Joe Montana lost in the conference championship game
(advantage Brady)
In his 6th best season, Tom Brady won a conference championship game but lost in the SB.
In his 6th best season, Joe Montana lost in the conference championship game.
(advantage Brady)
In his 7th best season, Tom Brady won a conference championship game but lost in the SB.
In his 7th best season, Joe Montana was routed 49-3 in the conference championship game.
(advantage Brady)
In his 8th best season, Tom Brady won a conference championship game but lost in the SB.
In his 8th best season, Joe Montana lost in the first round of the playoffs.
(advantage Brady)
In his 9th best season, Tom Brady lost in the conference championship game
In his 9th best season, Joe Montana lost in the first round of the playoffs.
(advantage Brady)
In his 10th best season, Tom Brady lost in the conference championship game
In his 10th best season, Joe Montana lost in the first round of the playoffs.
(advantage Brady)
In his 11th best season, Tom Brady lost in the conference championship game
In his 11th best season, Joe Montana lost in the first round of the playoffs.
(advantage Brady)
In his 12th best season, Tom Brady lost in the conference championship game
In his 12th best season, Joe Montana did not even make the playoffs.
(advantage Brady)
---
So while their top for years are equal, Brady was better, not just in year 5, but also in years 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 (also #13 and #14, if I had gone there).
THAT makes the "did not lose a super bowl" argument a NOTHING-BURGER.