Patrick Mahomes wants to be worthy of conversations involving Tom Brady. Brock Purdy plays in Joe Montana’s shadow.
Winning the Super Bowl would be a major milestone for either of these quarterbacks.
Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will look to become the first team in 19 years to win back-to-back Super Bowls when they take on Purdy and the 49ers from San Francisco to Las Vegas, February 11.
For Mahomes, it’s an opportunity to win his third NFL championship in his sixth full season as a starter, at age 28.
Brady won the third of his seven Super Bowl rings in his fourth season as a starter at age 27.
For Purdy, this is the opportunity to crown his journey, going from last to be drafted in 2022 to leader of a team with a glorious past. If they obtain a sixth title, the Niners would join the Patriots and the Steelers at the top in the number of Super Bowl conquests.
A third title in five years would solidify Kansas City’s claim to becoming a dynasty.
The Patriots won three times in four years in the 2000s, then three times in five years in the 2010s.
“When it comes to dynasties, I always say you have to win three titles,” Mahomes said. We have to do everything we can to win as much as possible, without having any regrets when we leave the field.
“If we keep the same mentality, at the end of our careers we will be able to evaluate whether we are a dynasty or not. »
The Chiefs know they have a unique player in Mahomes. He’s already a sure thing for the Hall of Fame, with two NFL Most Valuable Player honors and two Super Bowl honors.
“We see it every day, we don’t take it for granted,” coach Andy Reid said. We respect the work he does and we appreciate it. We know we’re seeing something special, and he’s still young in this business.
“It’s a good thing for the Chiefs, it’s a good thing for the city. He’s someone we can build around. »
If Purdy wins, he will truly leave his mark in San Francisco. Montana led the 49ers to four championships in the 1980s, then Steve Young guided them to a fifth title 29 years ago.
Purdy replaced Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance and won his first seven career starts, including two playoff games. But he suffered a serious elbow injury against Philadelphia last year in the NFC championship game.
Recovering from surgery, Purdy was extraordinary in 2023. He was the first Niners quarterback in more than 20 years with more than 4,000 passing yards (4,280) or at least 30 touchdowns (31).
He helped his team post two comeback victories in the playoffs, showing the “Joe Cool” qualities that were Montana’s trademark.
This week, the AP learned that Purdy signed a major deal with Toyota to become a national partner and brand ambassador, becoming the first active player the automaker has partnered with since signing a deal with the NFL, in October 2023.
All he needs now is a Super Bowl MVP trophy. He would be content to win the match.
“It’s a challenge against Mahomes and their team, they’re in a league of their own,” Purdy said. They are winners. They proved it. Playing against them is going to be special for all of us. That’s exciting. »