Troy Aikman's Patrick Mahomes tweet, explained: NFL fans roast Hall of Famer for old 2019 post about Super Bowls

David Suggs

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Troy Aikman's Patrick Mahomes tweet, explained: NFL fans roast Hall of Famer for old 2019 post about Super Bowls image

The internet is a brutal place. And on Sunday night, it turned its attention to one of the NFL's most beloved figures: Troy Aikman.

The Hall of Famer-turned-broadcaster drew the ire of social media users as an ill-fated tweet that he posted back in 2019 came to light.

The post, delivered on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, saw Aikman react fairly sternly after being presented with a clip from an episode of "Time's Ours,"  The Athletic's podcast on all things Chiefs.

MORE: Sporting News panel reveals where Patrick Mahomes ranks among all-time QBs

In the episode, released in 2019, hosts Joshua Brisco, Nate Taylor and Seth Keysor discuss the rise of a budding QB talent in Kansas City by the name of Patrick Mahomes.

At the time, Mahomes had just put the finishing touches on an MVP-winning sophomore season, one in which he threw for 50 touchdowns and 5,000 yards.

The hosts highlighted the statistical anomaly that was (and is) Mahomes. The then-24 year old had already found the end zone 59 times in his career at the time of the podcast's recording — good for 36% of Aikman's career touchdown total. He did all of that while playing just 8% of the games Aikman had completed over the course of his 11-year spell in the league.

Aikman didn't take too kindly to the slight. He had this to say regarding Mahomes' statistical prowess, arguing that there was one category in which Mahomes was undoubtedly behind his predecessor: championship rings.

Aikman's comments were correct at the time. Mahomes was yet to capture a Lombardi Trophy as of Sept. 23, 2019. But it was clear he was on the rise.

A few months after Aikman threw shade Mahomes' way, he had to call Kansas City's first title win since 1969. And Mahomes nabbed Super Bowl MVP honors.

MORE: How Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs won Super Bowl 58

Aikman's remark seemed a bit misguided when he originally posted it, and it's aging like milk. At age 28, Mahomes has the same number of Super Bowl rings as Aikman (three). He's surpassed him in touchdown passes, and he's nearing Aikman's career mark in passing yards, too. And he's done all that in about half the time it took his forerunner.

On the spectrum of old tweets that have resurfaced, Aikman's salty retort represents a low-level offense. He's certainly gained an appreciation for Mahomes, who seems destined to compete with the likes of Tom Brady for the title of greatest quarterback of all time.

Additionally, Aikman played in a different era, one where hurlers were called on to do less inside and outside the pocket. The run game tended to be king, especially when you had a tailback and ruthlessly effective as fellow Hall of Fame Emmitt Smith.

Compared to his peers, Aikman was an elite sidewinder. From 1991 to 1996, Aikman finished way above league average in yards per attempt, competition percentage, interception rate, sack rate and passer rating. Put simply, he was one of the game's most fearsome threats inside the pocket.

Nevertheless, Aikman couldn't escape the internet's glare on Sunday night. Hopefully, it serves as a reminder for the ESPN star, though: Never bet against Mahomes.

NFL Twitter reacts to Troy Aikman's 'ICYMI' tweet

Twitter had a field day with its responses to Aikman's tweet. Here are some of our favorites:

 

Patrick Mahomes vs. Troy Aikman career stats

Patrick Mahomes   Troy Aikman
96 GP 165
74-22 (77.0%) Record 94-71 (56.9%)
103.5 Rating 81.6
2386-3590 Comp/Att 2898-4715
66.5 Comp. Pct. 61.5
28,424 Pass Yds 32,942
219 Pass TDs 165
63 INT 141
3 Super Bowl rings 3

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.