The NFL’s Best Quarterbacks Have NBA Comps

As we approach the kickoff of the 2021 NFL season, the three best quarterbacks in the sport are Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes. I’m not here to power rank them but to examine that three of the best players in the NBA are reasonable facsimiles of those iconic signal-callers.

Brady is the unquestioned greatest quarterback in modern NFL history. His accomplishments are legendary. His current NBA. comp is LeBron James. In my humble opinion, the greatest player in league history.

While they came from different starting points, they remain the ultimate force multipliers. Two athletes who improve their teammates and organizations the moment they step into the locker room or onto field or court. Brady is 44 years old while James will turn 37 in a few months. Despite their advanced ages, they remain the best leaders and winners in their respective sports.

Aaron Rodgers is the most gifted thrower of the football these eyes have ever seen. That coupled with outstanding athletic ability and a high level of intellect combine to make Rodgers a top-five quarterback of the Super Bowl Era.

His NBA comp is Kevin Durant. Durant is the most varied and versatile offensive weapon in league history. I can’t think of any other player who combines elite shooting and elite scoring ability at Durant’s level.

Like Rodgers, Durant is thin-skinned and not a great leader, but they are once in a lifetime, pure talents.

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In three years as a starter, Patrick Mahomes has accomplished that of a 10-year veteran. A regular-season MVP., two Super Bowl appearances, a Super Bowl win, and a Super Bowl MVP.

Basketball Mahomes without question is Steph Curry. Two transcendent talents who play with childlike joy and the utmost confidence.

Ask almost any youngster who their favorite quarterback and favorite basketball player is and most will quickly answer: Mahomes and Curry.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is football’s answer to newly minted NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo. Two superstars who do it differently than their contemporaries.

Jackson as the best running quarterback in league history and Giannis as a player much more comfortable scoring in the restricted area rather than the more popular perimeter.

I know many dislike cross-sport references. To those, I quote Aaron Rodgers, “R-E-L-A-X”.

John Sapochetti is co-host of the “The Pick & Roll NBA Podcast With Jet & Sap”, which is heard on Full Press Coverage.

Follow him on Twitter @JohnSap25