Tom Brady: Nobody 'Would Be Happier Than Me' If Patrick Mahomes Wins 4th Super Bowl
Feb 9, 2025
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-31 at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Patrick Mahomes seems to get closer to rivaling Tom Brady's GOAT status every season, but the legendary former quarterback isn't worried about Mahomes adding another championship to his resume on Sunday.
"People say all the time 'Well, what if Patrick wins his fourth?' and I'm like, 'There's nobody that would be happier than me' because I appreciate how hard it is to do and to win four times before the age of 30," Brady said on Fox Sports' Super Bowl pregame show.
Should Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take down the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday, it would give Mahomes his fourth championship and make him and the Chiefs the first team ever to three-peat in the Super Bowl.
Some NFL legends would root against those nearing their level of greatness, but Brady seems to be happy to see Mahomes' continued success.
Even if Mahomes wins another, he'll still have a ways to go to match Brady's rings. Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, won seven Super Bowls and five Super Bowl MVPs.
Brady also holds the record for the most playoff wins at 35, whereas Mahomes, who is second on the list, has 17 with a chance to make it 18 on Sunday.
As great as Mahomes has been in his eight NFL seasons, he'll need a few more years of sustained success to take Brady's title as the GOAT.
Video: Taylor Swift Arrives to Kelce, Chiefs' Super Bowl 59 vs. Eagles with Ice Spice
Feb 9, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift arrived at Caesars Superdome on Sunday ahead of the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.
Swift was spotted with rapper Ice Spice, who she previously attended Super Bowl 58 with.
Swift has been a consistent presence at Chiefs games since the start of the 2023 season due to her ongoing relationship with 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce will be attempting to secure his fourth Super Bowl championship as well as his third consecutive title.
Swift's journey to the Super Bowl appeared to be much smoother compared to 2024, as she performed a concert in Tokyo the night before Super Bowl 58 and took a private jet back to the United States. She arrived just in time to see the Chiefs take down the San Francisco 49ers by the final score of 25-22 in overtime.
The 14-time Grammy Award-winner was seen dining with her mom as well as Kylie Kelce, the wife of Travis' brother Jason Kelce, on Saturday night in New Orleans (via Bridget Reilly of the New York Post).
Swift has been present at both of Kansas City's playoff wins during its current postseason run, attending the Chiefs' 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round as well as their 32-29 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game.
Caitlin Clark and Taylor Swift are in the house for the Divisional Round in Kansas City 🤩
Travis made his presence felt in the last Super Bowl that Swift was at, catching nine of 10 targets for 93 yards against San Francisco.
He'll look to make a similar impact once the Chiefs and Eagles begin their battle for a Lombardi Trophy at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Chiefs' Travis Kelce Picks Patrick Mahomes Over Tom Brady as NFL's GOAT
Feb 9, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: (L-R) Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy as he celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
While the NFL world debates the true G.O.A.T. between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, Mahomes' go-to tight end, Travis Kelce, had a predictable bias in his answer.
"I'm gonna say he is, but I'm biased toward what I see in the building," Kelce told Rob Gronkowski on NFL on Fox's pregame show. "I'm gonna say he's the greatest ever, but I know there's a pretty valid argument somewhere else."
Kelce and Mahomes have been teammates on the Kansas City Chiefs since Mahomes' rookie season in 2017. Over eight seasons together, they've won three Super Bowl titles, with the potential for a historic three-peat this year. As the Chiefs push for another championship, the debate over Mahomes vs. Brady as the greatest of all time is at an all-time high.
Brady, who spent 23 seasons in the NFL, appeared in a record 10 Super Bowls and won seven—six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The fact that there is a top 10 ranking of just Tom Brady Super Bowls speaks volumes 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WqS1sjRnBW
Mahomes, in his seventh season as a starter, has already secured three championships. A fourth Super Bowl victory would place him among elite company, joining Brady, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks with four rings. Notably, Mahomes would be the first to achieve this feat before turning 30.
In their head-to-head matchups, Brady remains one of only two quarterbacks to defeat Mahomes in the postseason—and the only one to do so in a Super Bowl, with Tampa Bay's 31-9 rout of Kansas City in Super Bowl LV.
3 Super Bowl victories, 3 Super Bowl comebacks led by Patrick Mahomes ⭐
Despite Brady's past success against Mahomes in head-to-head matchups, Kelce isn't alone in backing his quarterback in the G.O.A.T. conversation. Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner also believes the 29-year-old will eventually surpass Brady as the greatest of all time.
"I'm gonna say yes to this question," Warner said Sunday on NFL Network. "The reason I'm gonna say yes is because of the nature of how our game has changed. The way people watch our game is different. What I mean by that is that, right now, at the quarterback position, it's so much about the wow factor, the physical ability, and what this guy can do from a physical standpoint that nobody else can. We've seen Patrick Mahomes do so many things that make us look and say, maybe he's the most physically gifted quarterback our game has ever seen. And I believe that is what will ultimately put him over the top."
Mahomes has already earned one NFL MVP, six Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl MVPs. With a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, it would be difficult to dispute his case against Brady's legacy.
Mahomes, Kelce, Saquon, More Show Off Super Bowl 59 Outfits Ahead of Chiefs-Eagles
Feb 9, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 26: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) during a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs on January 26, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The stars that will be participating in Super Bowl 59's clash featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles showed off their pregame outfits on Sunday.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes arrived wearing a green suit to go along with a pair of sunglasses.
Kansas City is looking to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls, while Philadelphia is searching for revenge after falling to the Chiefs by the final score of 38-35 in Super Bowl 57.
Mahomes' 2024 campaign started off slow, but he thrived down the stretch of the season and helped Kansas City finish with the top record in the AFC at 15-2. Over his final six regular-season appearances, he threw for 1,524 yards and 11 touchdowns without getting picked off.
Barkley blew past expectations throughout his first year in Philadelphia, picking up a league-leading 2,005 rush yards and scoring 15 total touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 278 receiving yards, winning Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Both the Chiefs and Eagles have looked impressive throughout their respective postseason runs leading up to the Super Bowl.
Kansas City is coming off a hard-fought 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, while Philadelphia pulled away from the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game to secure a 55-23 victory.
Kickoff for Super Bowl 59 is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Schefter: Raiders 'Likely to Have Some Interest' in Sam Darnold Contract in NFL FA
Feb 9, 2025
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after a throwing a touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Raiders are "likely to have some interest" in free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter said the Minnesota Vikings haven't ruled out a reunion with the 2024 Pro Bowler, with the franchise tag being a straightforward path to have him under contract for 2025.
In January, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler cited one NFL personnel executive who predicted Las Vegas to sign Darnold due to a few factors.
The Raiders clearly need a quarterback after cycling through Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O'Connell and Desmond Ridder as the starter this season. Going 4-13 only earned them the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, though, so they'll need to trade up in order to get Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.
The personnel exec suggested the Raiders "need every pick" because they're far more than one quarterback away from being a contender.
With a projected $92.5 million in available salary cap space, Las Vegas will have more than enough room to sign a top free agent at QB and strengthen in other areas.
Schefer and Fowler's reports underline how Darnold is likely to get paid one way or the other regardless of his disappointing finish to the 2024 campaign. He went 18-of-41 for 166 yards in a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions and was then sacked nine times in Minnesota's NFC Wild Card Round defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.
Thanks to those two games alone, the idea of paying the 27-year-old nine figures looks a little less enticing.
But somebody is going to take the plunge, whether it's the Vikings giving him more than $40 million on the franchise tag or a suitor committing to a multiyear extension.
And if Darnold prefers a return to Minnesota, the Raiders' interest will be very useful in terms of building leverage at the negotiating table.
Report: Travis Kelce's NFL Future 'Could Hinge' on Chiefs' Result in Super Bowl 59
Feb 8, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: Tight end Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs gets set during the second half of the AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Whether Travis Kelce returns for the 2025 NFL season could depend on the results of Super Bowl LIX, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Rapoport reported Saturday that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end "still hasn't made up his mind" about playing a 13th NFL season.
"Sources informed of his thinking say Kelce's decision could hinge on the results of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles," Rapoport wrote.
Rapoport continued:
A win would make the Chiefs the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowls, allowing Kelce to walk off into the sunset in a way almost no one gets to do. A loss could fuel him to return for the 2025 season, but it also could show him it's time.
The Chiefs and Eagles kick off in New Orleans on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
From The Insiders in New Orleans: #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce could be playing in his final game on Sunday, as he’s undecided on his future. pic.twitter.com/xQbaMnfO6s
Video: LeBron James Predicts Super Bowl 59 Winner and Top Prop Bets for Chiefs-Eagles
Feb 7, 2025
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 120-112 win against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
LeBron James is picking the Kansas City Chiefs to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.
"It's hard to go against Mahomes, so I got the Chiefs winning the game," James explained.
The Los Angeles Lakers star picked Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy to score a touchdown. James also picked Patrick Mahomes to rush for at least 40 yards and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to throw for at least 200 yards.
Barkley has scored a touchdown in two of the Eagles' three postseason games during their current run to the Super Bowl, while Worthy has scored once in Kansas City's two playoff contests.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer has praised Mahomes in the past, putting the signal-caller on his personal Mt. Rushmore of quarterbacks throughout NFL history in Aug. 2024.
James is in the midst of another strong season with the Lakers, averaging 24.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and hitting 39.1 percent of his attempts from three-point territory.
Kansas City will be attempting to become the first team in NFL history to win the Super Bowl in three consecutive seasons, while Philadelphia is looking for revenge after falling to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 57.
Kickoff between the Eagles and Chiefs on Sunday is at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Chip Kelly Praises Raiders HC Pete Carroll, Explains Taking OC Job from OSU, QB Plans
Feb 6, 2025
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Chip Kelly of the Ohio State Buckeyes before the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Oregon Ducks College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Nearly a decade removed from his last stint in the NFL, Chip Kelly is rejoining the professional ranks.
The former Ohio State offensive coordinator is taking over as the Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator under new head coach Pete Carroll. Kelly and Carroll briefly coached against one another when Kelly was at Oregon and Carroll was at USC, and Kelly had only good things to say about the legendary coach.
"I've got great respect from when I coached against him my first year in the Pac-10 — and I did say Pac-10, that's how long ago it was," Kelly said, per The Athletic's Tashan Reed and Vic Tafur. "I think everybody in the coaching profession, if you get a chance to work with Pete Carroll, you're pretty excited about it."
Kelly was at the top of the college football world at Ohio State, leading one of the best offenses in the country to a national title. Even after the successful year, the Raiders job was too tempting to pass up.
"Obviously, this is the highest league of football. The competition is at an all-time high," Kelly said. "It's that competition that drives you. And then talking with (general manager) John Spytek and (owner) Mark Davis and just where everybody is aligned in this organization and then getting a chance to talk to (minority owner) Tom Brady about what he feels he can help Pete and Mark with. I was just excited about that alignment of everybody."
One of the Raiders' biggest challenges this season will be under center. Las Vegas has no true starting quarterback heading into the 2025 season, so the team will either have to find one on its current roster, draft one or sign one in free agency. Kelly explained what he'll be looking for in the Raiders quarterback.
"It depends on the personnel because you can't build a quarterback," Kelly said. "We don't have a scientific lab here where we can say we want a 6-foot-5 guy that's 250 pounds and runs a 4.4 (40-yard dash) and can make every throw. You can't do that. You have to look at what is available to you whether it's through the draft or through free agency or on the current roster. And then, what are their strengths and how do we design our offense around their strengths? It has to be designed around how the quarterback plays. So, I think it's really your evaluation of the personnel that's available to you and then fitting them into that system."
Kelly found immediate success at Ohio State, but taking the Raiders to the promised land is a completely different challenge. Las Vegas hasn't won a playoff game since 2002 and has made the postseason just twice in the past 23 years.
With Kelly leading the offense, the Raiders will look to finally turn the corner.
Patrick Mahomes: 'I'll Probably Never Try to Spike the Ball Again' After Viral Video
Feb 4, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce #87 after a touchdown during the second half of the AFC Championship football game against the Buffalo Bills, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)
Patrick Mahomes' days of spiking a football in celebration are over thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback's viral moment in the AFC title game.
Mahomes scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to put Kansas City ahead 29-22 in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills. He then unleashed one of the worst spikes you're ever going to see, one that spawned plenty of mockery on social media.
During the Super Bowl's media day on Monday, Mahomes joked that his celebration basically ruined what was "such a cool play." He added he'll "never try to spike the football again."
"I'll probably never try to spike the ball again, that was so bad."
Sometimes the emotions take you away in the moment. Who's to say Mahomes will never try to throw the ball directly into the turf after a big play again. It's one of the celebrations you most associate with football.
For now, let's just revel in the fact there seems to be at least one thing the three-time Super Bowl champion can't do on the gridiron.
Video: Andy Reid Confirms He'll Return as Chiefs HC for 2025 NFL Season
Feb 4, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs addresses the media during Super Bowl LIX Opening Night at Caesars Superdome on February 03, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
As he prepares to lead the Kansas City Chiefs in their third straight Super Bowl appearance on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Andy Reid made it clear that he's not planning on retiring, regardless of the outcome.
Reid told reporters on Tuesday that he will return as head coach of the Chiefs in 2025, and he plans to continue coaching not for the sake of chasing wins records but because he still enjoys teaching the game:
Andy Reid confirms he’ll be back next season and says that he plans to keep coaching because of his enjoyment teaching the game, not chasing win-records. #ChiefsKingdom@ChatSportspic.twitter.com/9V9cxiF8lB
The 2025 campaign will be Reid's 13th in Kansas City. Under his direction, the team has reached the Super Bowl five times in the last six years, and a win on Sunday against Philadelphia would achieve the first three-peat in modern NFL history.
Reid's comments come after Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told reporters during Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday that he fully expected the 66-year-old to be back on the sideline next season.
"I was always surprised when I heard those rumors [of Reid's retirement] because I know how much fun Andy's having," Hunt said. "He, in a lot of ways, is rejuvenated by the success the team's had. Certainly, he's matched with the quarterback that's the perfect complement for him in Patrick [Mahomes]. I know he loves what he's doing. I know for a fact he's going to be back next year."
Chiefs owner Clark Hunt on Andy Reid: “I know for a fact he’s going to be back next year.” pic.twitter.com/0iUqZdFm8Z
Reid ranks fourth all-time with 273 career wins. Last April, he signed a contract extension that would keep him in Kansas City through the 2029 season, assuming he doesn't call it a career before that.
While the rest of the NFL likely would welcome the prospect of Reid riding off into the sunset and ending his run of dominance, it appears that he hasn't lost his motivation to continue doing what he does best.
