Tom Brady formally anoints his NFL successor with one major caveat

Tom Brady was the best quarterback in the NFL for a long time. He was also the most recognizable and the face of the sport. Now that he has retired, there is technically a vacancy for all of those things. On his "Let's Go!" podcast, the former quarterback spoke about who he believes has come in and taken the reigns on those things:

“When I'm looking at guys in pro football, quarterbacks, you know, Patrick's [Mahomes] the one that really stands out."

He continued, praising the quarterback and his head coach for how they've worked together thus far during their reign:

"They've done a great job since he's really taken over and he's got a really great coach like I was fortunate [to have] that helps you and is there for you when things are going good and not so good."

Brady knows a thing or two about having a good head coach pairing. With the New England Patriots, he was blessed enough to be under perhaps the greatest football coach of all time in Bill Belichick.

He continued lavishing praise on Patrick Mahomes, but he did mention one stipulation:

"He gives you the Humble Pie when things are going good and knows how to pick you up when things aren't good. But it's gonna be interesting. People have to do it for a long time.”

To truly be what Brady was with the Patriots and then the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, any quarterback has to be great for a very long time. Maybe not two full decades and change like Brady did, but whoever it is has to have more than a few-year reign at the top.

Patrick Mahomes is succeeding Tom Brady

Even before Tom Brady retired, many could see that Patrick Mahomes would be what Brady was to the NFL. In fact, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback might be more talented.

He makes throws not many were making before he came into the league. When he's on the field, there's a chance to score at any moment. In any down and distance, he can't be counted out.