Tom Brady Finally Reveals Why NFL Players HATE Patrick Mahomes

In a rare moment of candid commentary, NFL legend Tom Brady has shed light on the growing resentment directed toward Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — a sentiment that has quietly festered among players, coaches, and fans for years.

At the heart of Brady’s revelations is a hard truth: greatness, when sustained at Mahomes’ level, inevitably breeds contempt. But the reasons go far beyond simple envy.

The Rise of a New Villain

Since taking over as Kansas City’s starter in 2018, Mahomes has led the Chiefs to seven straight AFC Championship appearances, five Super Bowl trips, and three titles by 2025. His unparalleled start mirrors Brady’s own early career with the New England Patriots — but Mahomes has become something Brady never quite was during his playing years: a true NFL villain.

“Mahomes has become the face of the league,” Brady noted during a recent broadcast. “But with that face comes the target on your back — I know it well.”

Dynasty Fatigue and the Mahomes Persona

Critics point to what some call “Chiefs Fatigue” — the public’s growing weariness of seeing the same team and same star player dominate season after season. This mirrors the widespread frustration aimed at the Patriots during the height of their dynasty.

However, it’s not just about winning. Mahomes’ distinctive voice, sometimes likened to Kermit the Frog, along with his massive media presence, and frequent commercial appearances — 341 ads during the 2024 season alone — have overexposed him, turning admiration into annoyance.

Family Drama & Media Overload

Much of the resentment aimed at Mahomes stems not from the quarterback himself, but from those around him.

His wife, Brittany Mahomes, has often sparked controversy for public outbursts, social media posts, and sideline antics — including a now-infamous champagne spray on fans after a playoff win. His brother, Jackson Mahomes, has also drawn heavy criticism for a string of TikTok stunts and a 2023 sexual assault allegation that only further tarnished the family name.

While Mahomes has kept his public image relatively clean, the actions of those closest to him continue to weigh down his reputation.

Perceptions of Favoritism and Referee Bias

Perhaps the most damaging accusation? That Mahomes plays by different rules — especially when it comes to NFL officiating.

Statistical evidence supports the narrative. Since 2021, the Chiefs have enjoyed a significant playoff penalty advantage: opponents have been flagged for 66 penalties (541 yards) compared to Kansas City’s 36 (319 yards) across 11 games.

This has fueled online conspiracy theories, Reddit threads, and even memes suggesting the NFL is rigged in Mahomes’ favor — a perception many opposing players share behind closed doors.

“Everybody knows how it is — you can’t leave it in the ref’s hands,” said Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon after a controversial 2025 playoff game. That phrasing — “everybody knows” — speaks to a belief system now firmly entrenched in NFL locker rooms.

Entitlement, Ego, and The Flop Controversies

Adding fuel to the fire, Mahomes has been caught on camera reacting theatrically to light hits, leading to game-changing penalties. These moments have prompted accusations of “flopping” — with even seasoned players expressing outrage over what they see as manipulative behavior.

“You can’t have defenders playing at half speed because they’re scared to get flagged,” Brady commented in one of his most pointed critiques.

Brady, who endured similar allegations of referee favoritism during his own reign, offers a nuanced perspective: “It’s not just about Mahomes. It’s about a system that rewards quarterbacks who’ve figured out how to play the rules, not just the game.”

The Psychological Toll of Success

As Brady knows better than anyone, sustained excellence makes enemies. Mahomes’ record-breaking early success, including 181 touchdowns and nearly 23,000 passing yards in his first 75 starts, hasn’t just impressed — it’s alienated many of his peers.

To some, he hasn’t “paid his dues.” To others, he’s had the perfect setup: elite coaching from Andy Reid, mentoring from Alex Smith, a deep roster, and now a half-billion-dollar contract.

This perception that Mahomes was “handed” greatness — while others struggled in dysfunctional systems — has deepened the resentment.

Cultural Tensions and Unspoken Biases

Some critics point to subtle racial biases behind the resistance Mahomes faces. As only the second Black quarterback to win Super Bowl MVP, his unconventional play style and image challenge long-standing norms about who gets to be the face of the league.

Additionally, the vitriol directed at Brittany Mahomes highlights gender-based double standards in how women around male athletes are expected to behave — and how their actions unfairly affect their partner’s reputation.

Brady’s Final Take: It’s Not About Hate — It’s About Fear

Brady’s most insightful commentary doesn’t condemn the resentment — it explains it.

“The hate comes from fear,” he said. “Fear that what Mahomes is doing can’t be stopped. That maybe the next 15 years belong to him, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

Rather than criticize, Brady has chosen to empathize — recognizing the enormous pressure Mahomes now bears as both the league’s standard-bearer and lightning rod.