Stephen A. Smith on Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady GOAT conversation: 'It's officially over'

Stephen A. Smith called the GOAT debate between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes “officially over.” Of course, until he said the conversation could be revisited.

Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, the narrative around Mahomes quickly changed. Ironically, it was with Brady in attendance, calling the game for FOX.

But during Monday’s First Take, just a few days after many said Mahomes could be the GOAT with a three-peat, he was no longer Brady’s equal.

“It’s officially over,” Smith said. “I’m not saying there’s nothing you can do … We could be talking about this right now, we’re gonna be talking about this next year. Let me just throw out these stats for you to get right here. Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, 3-2 record, 65% completion. 265 yards (average), all right, 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a passer rating at 86.9 okay, even though he’s won three Super Bowl MVPs. 

“You’re talking about Tom Brady, with a 7-3 record, his record speaks for itself, five-time Super Bowl, MVP, all of that stuff. We got to bring Joe Montana back into this conversation because of what we witnessed yesterday. Joe Montana, 4-0, 68% completion percentage, 285 passing yards (average), 11 touchdowns, not a single interception ever. Okay … and he’s also a three-time Super Bowl MVP. So again … after this Super Bowl it’s one thing to be talking about. Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady. After this Super Bowl, we talk about Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Montana. Montana’s been added back to the conversation.” 

Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady GOAT debate fueled after Chiefs’ loss

It’s almost like Smith forgot about other QBs in the argument with Brady, but he at least brought Montana back to the discussion. The former 49ers quarterback never lost a Super Bowl and actually nearly made a fifth with the Chiefs in the twilight of his career.

“He’s phenomenal. He’s great. One game doesn’t make Patrick Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP,” Smith said. “We know what that is, but in the end, you talk about that GOAT conversation, that went the hell out the window last night at Super Bowl LIX.”

Mahomes actually finished the game 21-of-32 passing for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. But the majority of his yardage and production came in the fourth quarter after trailing 34-6 going into the final frame.

Stat padding? Sure, if you want to call it that. But Mahomes ran into a buzzsaw Sunday evening and couldn’t recover. 

Still, he’s 3-2 in Super Bowls, just like Brady was in the first half of his career, and seemingly has plenty of time to go. It’s just a matter of Mahomes getting back to this stage to add to his legacy.