Joe Montana has long been respected as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game, but his latest comments on the “Pat McAfee Show” stirred up intense reactions from NFL fans. When asked which quarterbacks he would start a franchise with today, Montana offered a surprising list that completely left out a name many consider untouchable.
Why Did Joe Montana Leave Patrick Mahomes Off His List?
On the show, Montana named Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts as his top four choices. The glaring omission? Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a decision that immediately ignited a firestorm across social media.
The top four QBs Joe Montana would start a franchise with:
1. Josh Allen
2. Joe Burrow
3. Justin Herbert
4. Jalen Hurts
( 🎥 @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/fcmwYtZGks
— ESPN (@espn) September 2, 2025
The reaction was swift and brutal. The admin of @PrizePicks accused Montana of jealousy, writing, “He’s definitely jealous of that QB in KC.” Another fan, @danhurleyuconn, captured the disbelief perfectly: “Justin Herbert but not Patrick Mahomes ok 😂😂.”
he’s definitely jealous of that QB in KC
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) September 2, 2025
The criticism of Herbert’s placement hit especially hard. @ECLAChargers didn’t hold back: “The 2nd best QB of all time doesn’t even know ball. He really had Justin Herbert at 3? The guy who can’t even win a playoff game?”
The 2nd best QB of all time doesn’t even know ball. He really had Justin Herbert at 3? The guy who can’t even win a playoff game? I mean common. https://t.co/QbNESwJspt
— East Coast Chargers (@ECLAChargers) September 2, 2025
Other fans questioned Montana’s judgment entirely. @sportswaatcher bluntly commented, “CTE got to him as well 💔💔💔,” while @808_N8 added, “Damn Joe Montana hating that’s crazy.”
The most persistent question among fans remained simple: Where was Mahomes? @BarryBucketz voiced what thousands were thinking: “Where is 15?” Many fans quickly pointed to personal motives behind the snub. @WaltIsNotMyName offered this theory: “Something tells me he doesn’t like Mahomes bc he beat the Niners twice lmao.”
Something tells me he doesn’t like Mahomes bc he beat the Niners twice lmao https://t.co/IPmRQRvTrk
— Samuel (@WaltIsNotMyName) September 2, 2025
The debate quickly turned to legacy comparisons. @TheCoach_DW connected Montana’s choice directly to championship counts: “He Knows 15 Is One 🏆 Behind Him At 29 Years Old 😂.” @Ufeelme510 kept it simple: “No Mahomes #Insecure.”
Perhaps the harshest critique came from @LanceTHESPOKEN, who framed the omission within the broader context of Mahomes’ rapid rise: “Ol’ Joseph here leaving off the guy that’s left him in his postseason dust is a perfect example of what I continue to say about the way the narrative has shifted since Mahomes began dominating this league at an unprecedented level.”
Ol’ Joseph here leaving off the guy that’s left him in his postseason dust is a perfect example of what I continue to say about the way the narrative has shifted since Mahomes began dominating this league at an unprecedented level. https://t.co/BYxNvkGjns
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) September 2, 2025
How Does Patrick Mahomes’ Playoff Success Compare to Montana’s Legacy?
The timing of Montana’s comments made the backlash even more intense. Earlier this year, Mahomes had already surpassed one of Montana’s most significant records. Back in January, during Kansas City’s playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game, Mahomes passed Montana for the second-most playoff victories in league history with 17 wins.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, only Tom Brady now stands ahead of Mahomes with 35 postseason victories.
With tonight’s win in the AFC Championship Game, Patrick Mahomes now has 17 postseason wins, breaking a tie with Joe Montana for the second-most wins by a QB in playoff history and trailing only Tom Brady and his 35 wins.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2025
At just 29 years old, Mahomes has already established himself as one of the NFL’s most accomplished quarterbacks. This milestone gave fans even more ammunition in their criticism of Montana, with many viewing the quarterback’s exclusion from the list as personal rather than professional.
The combination of Mahomes’ rapid ascent and his direct connection to Montana’s former team, the San Francisco 49ers, through their Super Bowl matchups, only intensified the debate about whether Montana’s choice reflected legitimate football evaluation or something more personal.
