During an appearance on The Joel Klatt Show on Monday, Tom Brady was asked to name which current NFL quarterback is most likely to win the Super Bowl for the first time. The seven-time Super Bowl champion declined to single out a favorite, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the NFL season and the immense responsibility quarterbacks face. Despite a list of young stars including Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Jayden Daniels, and C.J. Stroud—all still chasing their first championship—Brady refrained from making outright predictions.
“So, I mean, naturally, most people would say Lamar or Josh and because they’ve been the closest … championship games, MVPs, they have the highest expectation,”
Brady said. —Tom Brady, NFL Quarterback
He added,
“I mean, football’s different. It’s like every year you start right at the bottom with everyone else. And I don’t love predictions and hypothesizing because it’s up to them.”
—Tom Brady, NFL Quarterback
Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson’s ongoing quest for a Super Bowl ring
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has already made a mark in 2024, earning the league MVP award and signing a long-term contract extension. Nevertheless, Allen has been clear that personal milestones pale in comparison to winning his franchise’s first Super Bowl, a goal that remains paramount as the season progresses.
In Baltimore, Lamar Jackson approaches his eighth NFL season as a still prime athlete. A two-time MVP, Jackson is focused on refining his offense and fostering chemistry with new receivers like DeAndre Hopkins, avoiding premature hype about championship predictions.
Patrick Mahomes praised as the definitive championship leader
While steering clear of naming Jackson or Allen as the likely next champion, Brady did identify Patrick Mahomes as the quarterback who best exemplifies the traits necessary to consistently win titles. He highlighted Mahomes’ physical talent, leadership, and steady mindset as key factors that set him apart during critical moments.
“Patrick Mahomes to me is the one that does that the most often because who he is, I mean, obviously his physical talent, how he understands what he needs to do offensively and he brings a consistent winning attitude to work every single day,” Brady said. “In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most.” —Tom Brady, NFL Quarterback
Brady emphasized that winning quarterbacks must assume the role of CEO for their teams, shaping not only their own on-field efforts but also influencing the culture, preparation, and mindset of their entire organization.
Mahomes’ leadership evident beyond game-day performance
Already a three-time Super Bowl champion, Patrick Mahomes showcased his leadership during the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason game against Arizona, where his playing time was limited to a brief series. Despite minimal action on the field, Mahomes devoted his energy to mentoring younger teammates, collaborating with offensive coaches, and checking on injured players, demonstrating a commitment to his team that extends beyond statistics or individual accolades.
This display reinforces the qualities Brady attributes to Mahomes as integral to sustained success in the NFL’s most demanding moments and suggests why Mahomes is viewed as the current standard for championship quarterbacks.