In recent years, the debate over who is the NFL's GOAT has been reduced to just two names, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. Fans and pundits passionately defend their respective cases; however, one old friend of Brady's had a sudden change of heart, turning his back on his former teammate.
Adam Vinatieri and Brady shared a locker room at Gillette Stadium between 2001 and 2005. The kicker was part of the New England Patriots that won Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX, with Brady at the helm. He was also a teammate of Peyton Manning on the Indianapolis Colts that won Super Bowl XLI.
Given this background, it's clear that Vinatieri knows one thing or two about what it takes to be considered a candidate to be the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). However, the former kicker made a surprising turn a few days ago when he began to advocate for the Mahomes case.
Patrick has the right to be in the conversation
In an interview with TMZ Sports, the former kicker recalled that the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is one victory away from winning the fourth Super Bowl of his career. Vinatieri assured that if Mahomes achieves it, that would give him a claim on the title of GOAT.
"I've always said, Tom's got seven Super Bowls and until sombebody knocks... does something he hasn't, he's still the man, right?" said Vinatieri. "But this, we're getting to something even the great Tom Brady hasn't done," the former kicker said, referring to Mahomes being one win away from snatching his third championship in a row.
Vinatieri admitted that there are other names in the mix, putting special emphasis on Manning, but considered that if Mahomes "can pull this off in two weeks from now, I dare say you've got an argument."
The unprecedented three-peat
Only four teams have managed to reach three Super Bowls in a row: the Miami Dolphins between 1971 and 1973, the Buffalo Bills reached four in a row between 1990 and 1993, the Patriots between 2016 and 2018, and the Chiefs between 2022 and 2024.
However, only two other quarterbacks have played three championships in a row, Brady with the Pats and Jim Kelly with the Bills. Mahomes is about to join his name with these two NFL legends and if he wins, he will be the only one to win three consecutive titles.
The eventual victory would leave Mahomes with four championship rings, three less than Brady has in his jewelry box. However, in Vinatieri's opinion, that's enough to put him on the short list of GOAT contenders.
