Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, already building a Hall of Fame-worthy career at just 27 years old, is on the verge of surpassing two NFL legends, Dan Marino and Kurt Warner, in playoff touchdowns.
As Mahomes prepares for his fourth consecutive AFC Championship game, this time against the Cincinnati Bengals, he is just two touchdowns away from breaking Marino’s playoff touchdown record.
Mahomes, who has already thrown 30 career postseason touchdowns, trails Marino by two (32) and Warner by one (31) in the all-time rankings.
With just a single standout performance, the Chiefs star could not only tie but also surpass both Hall of Famers in one game.
A Young Career Filled with Impressive Stats
In only 12 playoff starts, Mahomes has accumulated 30 touchdown passes while throwing for an impressive 3,576 yards, completing 66.7% of his passes. He also sits just 934 yards away from matching Marino’s playoff yardage total of 4,510. Warner’s 3,952 playoff yards place him only 376 yards ahead of Mahomes, meaning that a strong performance in the upcoming AFC title game could see Mahomes close in on both Marino’s and Warner’s yardage records.
Mahomes’ ability to consistently perform at the highest level in the postseason has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation, and his chance to rewrite NFL playoff history continues to grow.
Mahomes’ Respect for Marino and Warner
On a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, hosted by his Chiefs teammate Travis Kelce and brother Jason Kelce, Mahomes was asked to name his personal Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks. Without hesitation, he named Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and Peyton Manning, but found himself split between John Elway and Dan Marino for the final spot.
“I’m gonna give it to Elway just because he has the rings,” Mahomes said, ultimately picking Elway for his championships. However, he expressed deep admiration for Marino’s stats and legacy. “If you look at Marino’s first season, 48 touchdowns in that era, dude… best quarterback season in history, no question.”
Mahomes also marveled at Marino’s ability to put up historic numbers in a time when the NFL was heavily focused on the running game. “Every single time that I’m breaking these records, it’s like Dan Marino had 170 touchdowns in three years. I thought they ran the ball back then!”
AFC Title Game Rematch Against Joe Burrow and the Bengals
Mahomes will face off against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the AFC Championship game for the second time in their postseason careers. Burrow and the Bengals famously defeated the Chiefs in last year’s AFC title game in a 27-24 thriller. In that contest, Mahomes threw for 275 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in a heartbreaking loss.
This time around, Mahomes will be seeking redemption, and the stakes are even higher. If he can match or exceed his previous production, he has the opportunity to surpass both Marino and Warner in career playoff touchdowns, further adding to his legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time greats.
Legacy in the Making
With two MVP awards, a Super Bowl MVP, and multiple All-Pro selections already to his name, Mahomes is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of his generation. Surpassing Hall of Famers like Marino and Warner will only solidify his place among the legends of the game.
As the Chiefs prepare to face the Bengals, the focus will be on whether Mahomes can lead his team to another Super Bowl appearance—and along the way, add yet another record to his already remarkable career.
