NFL Survey Reveals Players’ Picks for Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes GOAT Debate

The debate is settled, according to a new ESPN survey of NFL players.

Oct 2, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) signals a play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever suit up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — that much is not often debated.

In just three years Brady established himself as the best ever to wear a Buccaneers uniform and even set franchise records in the process. Of course, that may say more about the quarterbacks that came before him (or in some cases the decision-makers that managed those quarterbacks) but nonetheless, Brady is the GOAT in that conversation.

Brady is also the GOAT in any New England Patriots conversation after winning six Super Bowls among his many accolades and achievements with the franchise that lucked into him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. But is he the greatest of all time in all conversations?

READ MORE: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Voted Top 3 Trash-Talker by NFL Players

To figure that out (not that the debate will ever fully go away), ESPN took to the ever-popular anonymous survey and came away with the definitive result that Brady is indeed the GOAT. But there are some 'yeah, buts' in the conversation.

"No disrespect to Tom ... but I'm taking Pat," one NFC South player told ESPN in the survey. "Pat can do everything Tom can do, and he's mobile."

That's a bit of a bold statement. Divisional jealousy aside, there are others who took a more results-driven approach. It is a results-driven league, after all.

"Mahomes is on his way, but he's not there yet," another NFC South player told ESPN. "You can't disrespect Tom Brady. He has seven rings."

Many agree Mahomes is on the path toward unseating the current GOAT, but that the guy he's trying to unseat is Brady, and it's a steep mountain to climb. Of the votes tallied, Brady got 85 of them. Mahomes got seven.

ESPN says several other players got votes, because even anonymous voting can't prevent biased opinions from rising to the surface just a bit.

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