Bedard: 10 thoughts on the Patriots and the Super Bowl as Patrick Mahomes inches toward Tom Brady

Some random Patriots, NFL, and Super Bowl thoughts as we get closer to the big game ...

1. Obviously, Patrick Mahomes is going to need some longevity to truly be in the GOAT conversation with Tom Brady, but if Mahomes can deliver a third-straight title — and his fourth in seven seasons as a starter — he will definitely be in the conversation for most dominant stretches by a quarterback.

And that will lead, should Mahomes deliver on Sunday evening, to the real debate: in their primes, which quarterback would you want for your team? I don't think either Patriots or Chiefs fans are going to give much ground, and they shouldn't. But it's a real debate.

I think I would have to go with Mahomes, simply because of his athletic ability. Everything else is so close. It's basically a draw.

Certainly adds something that Brady will be calling the game. If Mahomes is on his way to the three-peat, I think we're going to hear a very gracious Brady.

2. Backing up my reporting from the last week, Robert Kraft told The Athletic that Mike Vrabel brought up Josh McDaniels and hired him without ownership input.

“When we interviewed Mike and asked whom he might be interested in bringing on, without a pause, his first one was to bring Josh McDaniels because he thought it would be something very special for Drake (Maye),” Kraft said. “Their experience and chemistry together is very positive. I think that was a good development. From every way you look at it, I think it’s a win-win.

“It was his decision. Josh was very excited. Hope we get the fruits of the potential positives out of that. He has a pretty good history of developing and dealing with good quarterbacks and developing an offense that can really produce.”

3. I was initially a no on the Patriots acquiring Cooper Kupp at some point this offseason. And then I heard former Rams LT Andrew Whitworth on with Zolak & Bertrand.

"Look at the situation that's happened in LA with Cooper Kupp, his impact, how amazing he's been," Whitworth said. "That entire room of wide receivers will be different for the rest of their careers, because they got a chance to spend five minutes with Cooper Kupp, much less all the years he's been there. So Puka (Nacua) has been trained and prepared from all that time that he spent with Cooper to be exactly who they need Puka to be. That's how you have to be to be able to sustain success.

"Cooper Kupp is the equivalent to having Sean McVay on the field. Cooper Kupp could walk in a room right now and run an offense… like he’s that intelligent. He understands the game that much. 

"Like, he wants to sit in a room and dissect film and break it down and all those things. He’s teaching the receivers, he’s helping the tight ends and the lineman. ... His mindset and that kind of stuff and just being valuable for that quarterback. I’ve always said this, it’s what happened in Chicago with Caleb Williams. Who was on that roster with a young quarterback that you go… where’s the veteran on the offensive team that’s the stable teacher-type guy who’s in his ear? Every play, every huddle, 'Hey man, don’t forget about this situation. Don’t forget about getting the ball out right here. Hey, this is a play where the balls needs to come out.' Or a play where you go, 'Hey this is your drop. This is where I’m going to be on the field.' Who are those people in his ear? I know for me in my time with Andy Dalton as a rookie, with Jared Goff as a young player, those things were invaluable, and they would need those things, and they’d give me feedback, 'Hey man, I appreciate you reminding me those little things in the huddle.' That stuff is invaluable."

Not only is exactly that Drake Maye needs, but that's what that receivers room needs in an even bigger way. Imagine Ja'Lynn Polk following Kupp around, learning from him.

Yeah, I'm on board and I don't even care how many games he plays.

4. Speaking of possible players available in the offseason. Here are the notable pending free agents on the two Super Bowl teams.

Chiefs

WR DeAndre Hopkins: Will be 33 but played for Vrabel and knows the Patriots scheme via Bill O'Brien.

S Justin Reid: Vrabel's always had impactful safeties.

LT DJ Humphries: Hasn't made it back from ACL surgery fully but could be an option in the offseason.

DT Derrick Nnadi: Always rock-solid.

DT Tershawn Wharton: Coming off a career year with 6.5 sacks.

LB Nick Bolton: Could be a tag candidate and a damn good player.

RG Trey Smith: The other tag candidate and if he hits the market, he'll get paid handsomely.

5. Eagles free agents:

LB Zack Baun: Signed one of the best one-year deals in league history. He'll be sought-after.

RG Mekhi Becton: O-line guru Jeff Stoutland resuscitated the uber-talent but injury-plagued Becton. Still has franchise LT talent.

Edge Josh Sweat: Will get a big payday.

DT Milton Williams: Could be the x-factor in the Super Bowl and headed to a big offseason.

6. So happy that the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee did not vote in Eli Manning on his first ballot. Not sure that will hold, but I have long been a no on Manning. He was a good QB, not great. And it's not the Super Bowl Hall of Fame.

7. Disappointed Adam Vinatieri didn't make it, but he was one of the seven finalists who automatically advances to the final round next year. Ray Guy had to wait over 20 years to get in, so I don't quite feel so bad. But Vinatieri is definitely a Hall of Famer.

8. Bill Belichick showed up at NFL Honors wearing his NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team jacket and his Super Bowl rings. Belichick is the greatest coach, certainly during the Super Bowl era. Everyone knows who he is, and what he has accomplished. He's a walking HOF resume every time you see him. I don't understand him doing this. It wasn't a good look. Can you have a mid-life crisis at 72?

9. If Joe Thuney wins another Super Bowl, this time at left tackle, then his Hall of Fame resume becomes almost impeccable. It would be his fifth Super Bowl title (and counting), and he has four All-Pro nods (two first team). Letting Thuney walk in the fashion he did (tagged him, got zero compensatory picks) was a huge blunder by Bill Belichick and an example of how personnel as a whole (not just drafting) went down the tubes and led to his demise.

10. Super Bowl pick.

Latest line: Chiefs -1.5. Over/under: 48.5.

Going for the Chiefs: Mahomes is 7-0 against Vic Fangio. Why? Kind of similar to Brady. Fangio plays a lot of zone and Mahomes will pick you apart in zone. Fangio limits big plays, and makes you drive 12-15 plays to score a touchdown. Well, the Chiefs don't make many explosive plays and they thrive on methodical drives. It's all very comfortable for Mahomes and Fangio has to find a way, with two weeks to prepare, to make him uncomfortable.

Going against the Chiefs: We assume Joe Thuney is going to be back at left tackle, leaving underwhelming Mike Caliendo at left guard against Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and the underrated Milton Hamilton. If the Chiefs lose this game, it will be that matchup inside and Mahomes not having enough time to dissect the Eagles.

Going for the Eagles: I'm not a big Jalen Hurts fan, but he's shown to be at his best in big moments. He was fantastic against the Chiefs in the last SB matchup, and against the Commanders. Now he has a rested Saquon Barkley by his side. Hurts should also be healed up and a big factor in the run the game. 

Going against the Eagles: Steve Spagnuolo hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher in his last 18 playoff games.

Mahomes is the better QB. Andy Reid is the better playcaller. Steve Spagnuolo is the better DC. Dave Toub is the better special teams coordinator. And I think the length of the game is going to wear down the Philly front in the second half.

Chiefs 27, Eagles 24.