NFL players make their feelings clear on the Patrick Mahomes vs Tom Brady GOAT debate in survey

NFL stars didn't hesitate when asked to settle the Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes GOAT debate in a survey.

With the 2024 NFL season kicking off on Thursday, September 5, the question of who is the greatest player of all-time has once again become a major topic of conversation.

The popular answer is Tom Brady - after all, the former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback won seven Super Bowl rings, more than any other player in history.

The legendary signal-caller famously fell to the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL Draft, but he more than proved his doubters wrong over the course of a glittering 22-year career.

That said, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is building a pretty solid case to surpass Brady as the NFL GOAT.

the 28-year-old is entering his eighth season in the league, but remarkably he has already won three Super Bowl rings.

While Mahomes is still some way off Brady in that department, he could win a fourth Super Bowl title in just his eighth season. It took Brady 15 seasons to reach that milestone.

During a survey of over 100 active NFL players, ESPN took the opportunity to ask whether Mahomes is ready to replace Brady as the NFL GOAT.

Should Mahomes lead the Chiefs to a historic three-peat this season - no team has ever achieved that - then some players in the survey believe he would surpass the now-retired Brady.

Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. [Getty]

"It's Brady, but if Mahomes three-peats, that's a different story," one AFC South player told ESPN.

Another said: "No disrespect to Tom ... but I'm taking Pat. Pat can do everything Tom can do, and he's mobile."

However, 85 of the respondents ended up voting for Brady, while just seven went with Mahomes.

"Mahomes is on his way, but he's not there yet," one NFC South player said.

"You can't disrespect Tom Brady. He has seven rings. That's a long way to go."

Another player who chose Brady said: "Mahomes is on track to be the best ever. He's just got some of those skills that you can't teach."

Mahomes will be under centre in the opening game of the 2024 NFL season, when the Chiefs welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Arrowhead Stadium in a repeat of the 2023 AFC Championship game.