Comparing two of the NFL‘s best quarterbacks is difficult.
This is especially true in the case of Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers.
To be honest, any NFL team would become a top notch one just be adding either one of these superstars to its roster.
Before diving into the argument of which is better, let’s consider the fact that Mahomes and Rodgers are at the opposite ends of their careers.
Mahomes is 25 years old, and Rodgers is 37 so Mahomes should have a lot more football in his future.
Rodgers is at the point where he is likely feeling a sense of urgency to win now.
To make it an apples-to-apples comparison, the best way to look at them is with the stats of their first three years in the NFL as a starting quarterback.
In the case of Rodgers those years are from 2008-2010, and for Mahomes those years are from 2018-2020.
When looking at it this way, Mahomes is the better quarterback.
Here’s why.
Touchdown Passes
Mahomes has 114 TD passes in his first three seasons.
His rookie year he had 50.
Patrick Mahomes: 9 games w/ a 90+ PFF Grade since 2018
The most among all QBs 😤 💪 pic.twitter.com/yJnXWzgOzd
— PFF (@PFF) February 1, 2021
Patrick Mahomes in red zone since 2018
💥 87 TDs
💥 4 INTsMost TDs in the NFL pic.twitter.com/83fKESH9L3
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) February 3, 2021
Rodgers was far from shabby in his first three seasons.
Most passing TDs since 2018
💥 Patrick Mahomes – 128
💥 Russell Wilson – 111
💥 Aaron Rodgers – 105
💥 Tom Brady – 99 pic.twitter.com/SgCDL5WIJB— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) January 22, 2021
He came in with 86.
Interceptions
Mahomes threw 23 interceptions compared to Rodgers’ 31.
Here comes another @AaronRodgers12 record that will never be broken. ⤵️
In 2018, Rodgers attempted 597 passes, he threw 2 INTs.
That's a 0.3 INT rate.
Just unfair! 😱 #GoPackGo #GOAT #Packers pic.twitter.com/CYpSJ451zZ
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) June 16, 2020
Aaron Rodgers is really, really good…
Since 2018, Rodgers has thrown for 68 TD and 8 INT for a TD/INT ratio of 8.5 (best in NFL).
The next closest QB is Drew Brees at 5.8.#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/Lei4yWl0Ao
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 28, 2020
Yards
Mahomes threw for 13,868 yards.
Rodgers threw for 12,394 yards.
Statistically, Mahomes was the more prolific and accurate passer in his first three seasons.
As always, nothing is that simple.
There are intangibles to consider.
Intangibles
Patrick Mahomes has authored so many magical comebacks and breath-taking performances that they've become expected. But @jeffrichadiha writes that Super Bowl LV showed us that even Mahomes has his limits if he loses too much help.https://t.co/tRP8g5duAc pic.twitter.com/nJYSouVztu
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 8, 2021
Aaron Rodgers arguably had less talent surrounding him during his long career.
So many times, he had to carry this team to success with his own abilities.
The Chiefs had more talent surrounding Mahomes from his early days as a starting quarterback.
One way of measuring this is through rushing touchdowns.
Many would assume comparing the first three seasons of these two that Mahomes would have the edge in rushing touchdowns.
That’s not the case.
Aaron Rodgers rushed for 13 touchdowns; whereas, Mahomes had 6.
Rodgers used his legs, arm, and everything he had to lift the Packers to victory.
Mahomes had the help of three superstars: WR Tyreek Hill and TE Travis Kelce and former RB Kareem Hunt in the early stages of his career.
Accomplishments
Mahomes lifted the Lombardi Trophy in his second season as the starter.
It took Rodgers until his fourth season as the starter to win the Super Bowl.
Both hold awards as Super Bowl MVPs, NFL MVPs, and NFL Passing Yards Leaders in various seasons.
The point is Mahomes accomplished these achievements quicker.
He has shown moments of greatness but has not been around long enough yet to be deemed a great player.
Rodgers, on the other hand, has exhibited a career of greatness.
His consistency is astounding.
Aaron Rodgers on MVP No. 3 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/uvX1iAACGA
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) February 7, 2021
The discussion of which of these two quarterbacks is better should be revisited later in Mahomes’ career.
Certainly, winning back-to-back Super Bowls (something only his opponent Tom Brady has done in recent years) would have further cemented the legacy of Patrick Mahomes.
He is young and talented so it’s realistic to assume the Chiefs will win more with him as their quarterback.
NEXT: Is Josh McDaniels A Good Coach? (3 Reasons Why He Is Not)