KC Chiefs' Blaine Gabbert Explains Similarities Between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady
Regardless of how one feels about the New England Patriots dynasty starring Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, it's virtually impossible to not at least acknowledge the historic heights the duo reached during their time together. Similarly, regardless of how one views Brady's individual career, it's difficult to have seen what he did with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and not believe it's something that further cemented his status as the greatest quarterback of all time.
With all of that being in mind, the Andy Reid-Patrick Mahomes duo with the Kansas City Chiefs is the closest thing to the aforementioned combo that the NFL has seen in recent years. Mahomes, with two Super Bowl wins already on his resume at the age of 27, has ascended from current great to one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the sport. His own teammates are firsthand witnesses of his habits and proficiency on a near-daily basis.
Now, that's no different for backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert, who signed in Kansas City back in April, spent 2020-2022 with the Buccaneers and was the team's second-string quarterback behind Brady. He has a rare account of what it's like to work with a Hall of Fame-caliber field general, and that data bank is being expanded with the Chiefs. On Thursday, near the conclusion of the team's organized team activity (OTA) period, Gabbert spoke about the similarities between Mahomes and the consensus GOAT.
“They are maniacal perfectionists," Gabbert said. "And I mean that in the most endearing way possible. They are the two best, in my opinion, to ever play the game. To see the similarities and how they operate, meeting rooms, practice field. Now, they are completely different players as we all know, but the way they approach the game on and off the football field is the exact same way and you can see why both have had sustained success, early on, and throughout their careers.”
This comparison from Gabbert shouldn't come as much of a surprise, as Brady has befriended Mahomes in recent years and the two have formed a quality relationship in which the former has likely passed plenty of wisdom (and the proverbial NFL torch) to the latter. Mahomes also had the benefit of learning under former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith for a year before assuming a full-time role, which is something that he continues to credit as something that helped him form consistent habits of working, studying, preparing and carrying himself like the leader of a franchise.
Gabbert, now 33 and over a decade into his career, has seen and done just about everything. Beginning his career as the 10th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft and serving as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he struggled to justify the selection but eventually evolved into a formidable backup quarterback for years thereafter. He's been a member of multiple quarterback rooms and worked with a variety of signal-callers, and his last few have been with some of the best to ever suit up in a game.
Citing feedback from Mahomes's previous backup, Chad Henne, as a major influence in his decision to join Kansas City, it's clear that the quarterback culture in the Chiefs organization has an impact on everyone who passes through it. Mahomes is a significant part of that, and it's taken Gabbert less than two months to recognize how rare of a talent — and mind — he is.
