In the world of sports, time seems to inevitably deteriorate a player’s performance regardless of how great they once were. Tom Brady, now on his 17th season after winning his 7th super bowl, makes him the most decorated  player in NFL history, even more successful than all NFL franchises. This unearths  the question on sports fans minds: who will take Brady’s crown when he decides to retire?

Patrick Mahomes, after being drafted in 2017, has already won a super bowl in 2020 and an MVP award in 2019. With Mahomes and Brady finally matching up against each other in the biggest game of the year, we were finally able to see the difference between the two prominent stars in the league after Super Bowl LV.

“Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes are more similar than they are different,” said CBS sports writer Bryan DeArdo.

Both had similar statistics in the most recent season. Brady with 4,633 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Mahomes accumulated 4,740 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.

There is one statistic that is impossible to calculate, and it’s called experience. Brady has played 17 seasons and 10 super bowl appearances, while Mahomes has only competed four seasons and has had two super bowl appearances.

Tom Brady excelled in the 2021 Super Bowl, stomping the chiefs 31-9, proving that the new generation still has a lot of growing to do. Brady has said multiple times that he still has a lot of life left in him and he plans on filling his remaining three fingers with rings.

The super bowl was the fifth game playing against each other, and after the Tampa-Bay Buccaneers had secured the Super Bowl victory, Brady had the lead over Mahomes 3-2.

“He’s done an incredible job,” said Brady regarding  Mahomes and his accomplishments, “He has great command of his team. I know his teammates love playing with him.” There is mutual respect between both quarterbacks and  Mahomes and Brady are hoping to see each other again either in the regular season or possibly during the super bowl. Without a doubt Mahomes will carry on with the Chiefs franchise in hopes of bringing them multiple championships, it is unclear whether or not Brady is wanting to stay on the Buccaneers but as long as they are both in the league their rivalry will still be present.

“The way he’s able to dissect defenses before the snap is something that I truly admire, that I’m trying to get to that level,” said Mahomes when mentioning Brady’s play style on ESPN, “The way he’s able to move within the pocket and to be able to reset his feet and to be completely calm and still make the throw right on the money no matter who’s around him is something that I’ll have to continue to work on.”