Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

These are two players that you very easily can make a comparison to. Both are/were about the same size. Both can do incredible things with their arms and both are/were relatively mobile. Infact on top of that I think the current Chiefs teams also compare very well to those '80's Broncos teams. The Chiefs might be a little better because they do have a player like Kelce (where as the Broncos didn't really have a standout receiver like that).

So who do you think is better between those two. Mahomes definitely makes more plays but that is likely just because it is easier to play quarterback these days than it was when Elway played (and he also isn't going up against as solid of defenses either).

It definitely would be interesting to see how qb's like Mahomes would fair in an era where all the best team's rosters were far more stacked than they are now. And they weren't being as protected as the qb's are these days.

lastcat3 wrote:These are two players that you very easily can make a comparison to. Both are/were about the same size. Both can do incredible things with their arms and both are/were relatively mobile. Infact on top of that I think the current Chiefs teams also compare very well to those '80's Broncos teams. The Chiefs might be a little better because they do have a player like Kelce (where as the Broncos didn't really have a standout receiver like that).

So who do you think is better between those two. Mahomes definitely makes more plays but that is likely just because it is easier to play quarterback these days than it was when Elway played (and he also isn't going up against as solid of defenses either).

It definitely would be interesting to see how qb's like Mahomes would fair in an era where all the best team's rosters were far more stacked than they are now. And they weren't being as protected as the qb's are these days.

They are about the same except that Mahomes started out with a HC that knew what he was doing offensively, and Elway didn't. John had a coach stuck in the 60's offensively with limited talent around him.

Elway had a cannon for an arm. Mahomes has a great arm, too, but Elway was just incredible. Also, people have talked about how Aaron Rodgers is the master of the free play but Elway -- at least in my opinion - was better than anyone at it. The wildcard against New England (in 86?) has a great example of it -- a long TD to Vance Johnson.

Mahomes -- again, my opinion -- I think Mahomes is better at the overall execution of the play and the game plan.

I've always said that if I had to win one game and could pick anybody at quarterback, I'd pick Elway. Only picking current players, I'd pick Mahomes. Both are tough, I think Mahomes has the talent and toughness to have competed in that era.

There really is no comparison. Despite Mahomes great talent, the era that Elway played was far more tougher and intense from the defensive side of the ball. Players were more accountable and feared losing their jobs if they didnt play hurt, week in and out. Offensive lines back then didnt get away with as much holding or false movement like they do now. Mahomes would have been a star back then but also would have taken a beating from the great pash rushers that would have tried to inbed a QB into the turf ...

Mahomes needs to win another SB to join the all time greats but his team window will close fast if he doesnt get it done in the near future. This year might be his best chance, unless Buffalo can find away to get over the hump and spoil the Chiefs plans ...

7DnBrnc53 wrote:

lastcat3 wrote:These are two players that you very easily can make a comparison to. Both are/were about the same size. Both can do incredible things with their arms and both are/were relatively mobile. Infact on top of that I think the current Chiefs teams also compare very well to those '80's Broncos teams. The Chiefs might be a little better because they do have a player like Kelce (where as the Broncos didn't really have a standout receiver like that).

So who do you think is better between those two. Mahomes definitely makes more plays but that is likely just because it is easier to play quarterback these days than it was when Elway played (and he also isn't going up against as solid of defenses either).

It definitely would be interesting to see how qb's like Mahomes would fair in an era where all the best team's rosters were far more stacked than they are now. And they weren't being as protected as the qb's are these days.

They are about the same except that Mahomes started out with a HC that knew what he was doing offensively, and Elway didn't. John had a coach stuck in the 60's offensively with limited talent around him.

Funny, with those old Dan Reeves teams I used to pray that on 2nd and 10 the Broncos would get 5 or 6 yards as Reeves was guaranteed to call an unsuccessful run on 3rd and 4 or 5, but would be forced to put the ball in Elway's hands on 3rd and 10.

Stylistically, both extraordinary arms, I feel like Elway's was stronger but it really doesn't matter - one advantage Mahomes has is much better touch at a young age, Elway spent 5-6 years drilling 100 MPH fastballs off Running Backs hands try to catch a 2-yard pass out of the backfield, I saw it 1000 times, Mahomes still throws a light catchable ball in short range.

As far as how the game has changed, both like to throw the ball back across the field late, and both have the arms to do it. But in the 80's wideouts got lit up roaming in the center of the field as the play got old, today they cannot be touched. I think many crazy Mahomes across the field jazz would have been a WR concussion in the Elway era. Also, they are similar runners but it's hard to discount the protections QB's get today when running and sliding.

As far as surrounding talent, I think Mahomes FAR exceeds Elway. It's not just Kelse, The Three Amigos was a good nickname for a very average set of WR's, and Hill has arguably been the most dangerous weapon in the league the last 4-5 years, heck it's not even like Elway had a running game to contend with.