Debates around all-time NFL greats are always interesting, and former running back LeSean McCoy’s take on Patrick Mahomes and Peyton Manning turned some heads. While the legendary Tom Brady tops most people’s lists of quarterback greats, there are numerous other iconic shot-callers who deserve attention.
What did McCoy have to say?
Why LeSean McCoy Ranks Patrick Mahomes Above Peyton Manning
Mahomes and Manning’s NFL careers are separated by only two years, meaning fans never got to see the two stars square off.
Nonetheless, there is plenty to compare regarding their careers. Manning earned notoriety for his football IQ and accuracy, while Mahomes became a star on the back of his otherworldly playmaking ability.
Comparisons between the two are rare, given how most quarterback GOAT conversations revolve around Brady. Still, McCoy, who won two Super Bowls with Mahomes and Brady, had an interesting take on the better shot-caller between Manning and Mahomes.
“I would put Patrick in front of [Manning], for sure,” he said on “Speakeasy”. “Pat’s still kickin’ it, he’s still winning, goes to the Super Bowl over and over again. He’s won with a lot of talent, and he’s won with way less talent than Peyton. Things like that matter to me.”
Manning played with the likes of Marshall Faulk, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, and other stars, supporting an argument that some of his success could be attributed to his supporting cast.
“Even though [Peyton] had a lot of stats and MVPs, you gotta take into consideration that you got a [strong team] with you,” McCoy argued. “Edgerrin James, Hall of Famer, Reggie Wayne, Hall of Famer, Marvin Harrison — he had some pieces with him, too. I think they helped him out just like he helped them out, and that matters. So, I like top 5 for Peyton Manning, top 4 if you wanna be generous.”
The only stars Mahomes ever played with who compare to what Manning had are tight end Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. Other impact players, like Chris Jones, were on the other side of the ball.
“Pat won it with the most drops wide receiver corps,” McCoy said. “So he played a year where his wide receivers had the most drops in football — no Pro Bowls, no All-Pros… and they still won a championship on the road.”
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Mahomes is famous for lifting the players around him. His elite ability to extend plays allows his receivers an unusual amount of time to find space and get open (90.4 PFSN QB Impact in 2022).
As an interesting comparison, debates over who is the better player between Mahomes and Manning should have plenty more takes.
