KC Chiefs: Time for Tom Brady to pass the torch to Patrick Mahomes
By Chris Clark
When the New England Patriots face the KC Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, it’ll be Tom Brady versus Patrick Mahomes. Will this game symbolize a passing of the torch from one great to a future great?
The careers of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes both began similar in some ways, but very different in others. Both players only saw playing time in one game during their rookie seasons. Both players also took the reins as their team’s starter in their sophomore seasons.
Where Brady’s takeover was due to an injury to then-starter, Drew Bledsoe, Mahomes’ takeover was the Chiefs’ calculated move in replacing Alex Smith. In place of the injured Bledsoe, Brady led the New England Patriots to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. Similarly, Mahomes looks to lead the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl victory in nearly five decades.
After being selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Mahomes is fulfilling the hopes of Chiefs Kingdom and justifying why he was selected so high.
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On the other hand, it would be a gross understatement to simply say that Brady has exceeded expectations after being drafted with the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Chiefs Kingdom knows that Mahomes will win Super Bowls, while Brady’s five wins mark the most for any quarterback in NFL history.
Whether or not you like Brady, you have to respect what he’s done in his career. With five Super Bowl rings, three NFL MVP awards, and Hall of Fame caliber stats, Brady is commonly considered the greatest of all-time. Where fans can look back on what Brady has done in his 19-year career, fans can look forward to what Mahomes will do in his career.
After years of unprecedented dominance, the majority of football fans outside of New England are likely ready for Brady to finally ride off into the sunset. With a plethora of talented young quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, and Jared Goff coming into the league, there are suitors who would like to take Brady’s place at the top. Chiefs fans are hyped that their young gunslinger sits atop that list of young quarterbacks.
That’s why the game this Sunday is so important. It’s the leader of the last generation of greats versus the leader of this generation of greats. Similar to a game between Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson or Larry Bird, this game between Mahomes and Brady should be viewed as such – a passing of the torch.
Even though the Chiefs fell short by a field goal to the Patriots this past October, fans were elated to see Mahomes stage a great comeback attempt in Brady’s own house. The high scoring affair only ended on a last-second field goal for New England as time expired. Instead of celebrating the victory with his teammates, Brady immediately ran to greet Mahomes in what was a great gesture of sportsmanship and respect.
This Sunday rings the bell for round two and no one knows how many rounds the future holds. Hopefully, this will be a game of the ages for Chiefs Kingdom as well as a game of the ages for the annals of NFL history. The NFL’s greatest, Tom Terrific, versus the NFL’s future greatest, Showtime Mahomes, this Sunday in the world’s loudest stadium with a trip to Super Bowl LIII on the line.
dark. Next. Key Match-Ups in AFC Championship Game
The stage is set for Brady to pass the torch to Mahomes. Chiefs Kingdom should expect a great show and with Mahomes, a great win. There may not be a more opportune time for Mahomes to become the NFL’s torch-bearer. Here’s to a bright future under that torch!