Julian Edelman: Patrick Mahomes 'On Pace' to Surpass Tom Brady, Needs 'Longevity'

Tom Brady set the standard for quarterbacks during his NFL career, with seven Super Bowl titles and all-time records in passing yards (89,214) and passing touchdowns (649), among many others legendary accomplishments.

But given enough time, Patrick Mahomes might just give him a run for his money in the G.O.A.T. conversation.

"He's just gotta do it for a long time," former NFL wide receiver Julian Edelman said on The Dan Patrick Show Tuesday when asked what Mahomes would have to do to surpass Brady. "I mean, he's on pace. This is remarkable. If he goes out and does three in a row—in a salary-cap era—you can't say much. I'm as big of a Tom Brady guy as there is, and the only difference is the longevity. Tom had like three careers."

Mahomes, 29, already has three titles, five Super Bowl appearances and two MVP awards (Brady had three in his career). He's already over a third of the way (32,352 yards, 245 touchdowns) to surpassing Brady's record for passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Mahomes has played eight seasons already. Brady played 23. It's possible that many of Brady's records will never be touched, simply because most players don't play well into their 40s.

The ultimate measuring stick, of course, is championships, and Mahomes has the chance to do something that no other player in NFL history has done before—win three straight Super Bowls. He'll have to get through a tough Philadelphia Eagles defense to do it, but it would be the sort of legacy-defining accomplishment that would give him a real leg to stand on in the G.O.A.T. debate.