It’s no surprise that Rob Gronkowski firmly believes his longtime teammate Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback—and arguably the greatest football player—of all time. After all, the duo spent over a decade together in the NFL, winning four Super Bowls across two teams, the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski’s loyalty to Brady is unwavering, as the tight end’s entire NFL career was spent with Brady as his quarterback.
However, in a recent conversation, Gronkowski revealed that while Brady may hold the GOAT title, there’s one aspect where Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes might have an edge.
During an appearance on the Dudes on Dudes podcast with former teammate Julian Edelman, Gronkowski admitted, “That’s actually what makes Patrick Mahomes possibly, possibly better than the GOAT (Tom Brady) in the end… is that he can extend plays to a whole another degree.”
The comment, while surprising to some, highlights Mahomes’ unique ability to make something out of nothing on the field. Gronkowski continued, acknowledging Mahomes’ knack for turning near-disaster into big gains: “He’s about to be sacked, and he just rolls out, spins off a defender, and then he throws it to Travis Kelce or Tyreek Hill when he had him, or a no-name, seventh-rounder like you, Julian.”
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Despite this praise, Gronkowski made it clear that, in his eyes, Mahomes will never fully surpass Brady, regardless of the numbers or accolades Mahomes racks up. “But he’s never going to be better than Tom. Even if he is. I’ll never say that because I love Tom,” Gronkowski said with a laugh, underscoring the deep personal and professional bond the two share.
The tight end’s acknowledgment of Mahomes’ extraordinary playmaking ability is notable, especially considering Mahomes has already won three Super Bowls in just eight seasons. Mahomes has built a reputation for being nearly impossible to contain, using his mobility to extend plays, evade defenders, and make jaw-dropping throws that few others can replicate.
Gronkowski, however, drew a comparison to Brady’s own legacy, noting that great quarterbacks like Brady and Mahomes have a gift for making the players around them better. “Once again, making that seventh-rounder famous like Tom did with you. That’s why these quarterbacks are great, because they’re making us famous as well,” Gronkowski said, referencing Edelman, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft, and how Brady helped elevate his career in New England.
Edelman, known for his clutch performances and connection with Brady, laughed as Gronkowski pointed out that Brady had a way of turning unheralded players into stars—just as Mahomes has done with his teammates.
While Brady’s record of seven Super Bowl titles stands as a nearly insurmountable achievement, Mahomes is off to a blistering pace, winning three Lombardi Trophies before the age of 30. Comparisons between the two quarterbacks are inevitable as Mahomes continues his career, and it’s impossible not to wonder if he could eventually challenge Brady’s GOAT status.
Gronkowski also reflected on the length of Brady’s dominance, noting how it took Brady 14 years to win his fourth Super Bowl after capturing three in his first four seasons. “It’s hard to fathom a world where Mahomes doesn’t win another championship until 2030 by that same measure,” Gronkowski added, implying that Mahomes’ potential to win more titles could significantly outpace the timeline of Brady’s career.
With Mahomes still in the early stages of what promises to be a long and storied career, the comparisons to Brady are only just beginning. As Gronkowski acknowledged, Mahomes’ ability to extend plays and turn broken plays into magic makes him a truly special talent, but for Gronk and many others, Brady remains the ultimate measuring stick.
How Mahomes’ career unfolds will continue to fuel the debate over whether anyone will ever truly surpass the legendary Tom Brady.
