As much as I hate to say it, I’ll try to be fair and consistent: Brady’s absolute dominance since 2015 makes me respect Peyton Manning’s game more. Yes - Peyton did lack the balls that Brady has, and they responded to pressure in opposite ways. Brady has about 20 legendary clutch moments in the postseason while Manning has maybe 1. But even still, I am astonished at how difficult it is in the NFL for a QB to actually remain on top (or near the top) for so many years, in the “golden age of quarterbacking.”
The rule changes have led to passer numbers, more longevity, and more overall QB-centered win/loss correlation, BUT has not led to an easier path to win multiple championships or stay on top of the league.
So with Mahomes, it’s not that he
can’t catch Brady or that he necessarily needs 8 rings. It’s that I feel like I’ve seen this story so many times and am guilty myself of counting rings in advance. He’s just so, so far away from all-time greatness, even being “projected” as a top-10 all-time guy and earning mention on those types of lists.
In the last 20 years, since Brady:
- The only question about Aaron Rodgers in 2011 was “how many?” as he was on his way to five championships. He’s 0-4 in the NFCCG since then.
- Drew Brees has failed worse than Rodgers since his championship in 2009. Combined, since their Super Bowl wins, Brees and Rodgers have gone 21 seasons without winning the NFC again.
- Russell Wilson told Chris Collinsworth he wanted to win six Super Bowls and appeared to be on the verge of #2 before Butler’s interception. He hasn’t been back in the NFCCG in the six seasons since.
- Andrew Luck was “the future” and taking the tourch from Brady; he was thought to be a generational talent in a class with Manning and Elway destined for multiple championships. Anyone who thinks “the physical toll” isn’t a big problem should look no further. But also, Luck wasn’t as great as he was heralded to be and probably wouldn’t have become that much better.
- Might mention here that RG3 was possibly the most hyped QB ever after he was better than Luck In year one.
- Ben Roethlisberger was ”a big game QB” who “knows how to win.” He was headed for his 3rd Lombardi in 2010, which would have tied Brady. He was 10-2 in the playoffs at the time. He lost to the Packers, Polamalu retired and the defense faded. He is 3-7 in the playoffs since.
I’ve just seen so many “he’ll be back” guarantees and estimated ring counts that I can’t say with any certainty that Mahomes will win a handful of rings and be great for 15 years like many are predicting. Just in the last few years, significant doubts have risen for other promising stars like Wentz, Prescott, L. Jackson, etc. This really is the Not For Long league.