ADallas Cowboys legend has delivered praise to Patrick Mahomes that he stopped short of giving to rivals Dak Prescott and Josh Allen, reinforcing the Kansas City Chiefs star’s reputation as the league’s defining closer.
Whenever Kansas City enter the conversation, Mahomes dominates it, his résumé and late-game heroics shaping modern NFL expectations, and validation from past greats continues to follow him as his legacy grows season by season.
Now Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith shared his view during Super Bowl LX media week in San Francisco, while appearing on Kevin Clark‘s This Is Football podcast, outlining a strict definition of quarterback greatness.
“Elite quarterbacks show up when others are not showing up,” Smith said. “Elite players show up when others don’t show up.
“Elite players define the game, the game doesn’t define who they are. When I look at Patrick Mahomes, I see an elite quarterback that learned how to overcome extreme circumstances.
“These others are learning how to become an elite quarterback.”
Smith contrasted that standard with Allen‘s recent playoff exit for the Buffalo Bills, arguing the moment required more than strong statistics or highlight throws when a Super Bowl berth was within reach.
In that AFC Divisional clash, Allen ultimately turned the ball over four times – including a fumble that set up a Broncos field goal in a narrow 33-30 defeat before he then threw an interception to tee up Wil Lutz for a game-winning field goal.
“Josh Allen had a chance to get his Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl. You saw how he played,” Smith said. “Elite quarterbacks rise in extreme circumstances and lead their squad, they put them on their back and carry them where they need to go.”
Regular-season meetings between Allen and Mahomes have favored Buffalo, yet postseason clashes tell a different story. Kansas City‘s perfect playoff record against Allen underscores Smith‘s point about performance when stakes peak.
Patrick Mahomes turns mentor for Jaxson Dart
And Mahomes‘ influence now extends beyond opponents to emerging quarterbacks, including Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants. His experience under coordinator Matt Nagy has become a reference point for the rookie’s development.
Early in his own career, the Chiefs‘ ace learned patience while sitting behind Alex Smith, absorbing the system before taking control and conversations with the 30-year-old and Dart offered a direct link to succeeding within Nagy‘s structure and expectations.
“Dart, fresh off a rookie season with 24 total touchdowns and seven turnovers,” Jordon Raanan reports. “Talked on multiple occasions with Mahomes about working with Nagy, according to multiple sources close to the QB.
“He came away impressed. He also told reporters last week that he spoke with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce about his former coordinator and received rave reviews.”
Mahomes explained how Nagy balances timing, decision-making, and situational awareness, insights shaped by Kansas City‘s coaching tree that also includes assistants such as Mike Kafka.
Dart‘s rookie numbers, 2,272 passing yards in limited appearances, hinted at potential, particularly in high-pressure moments. If he translates Mahomes‘ guidance into on-field execution, the Giants could accelerate their offensive rebuild.
In that sense, Mahomes is doing for a young quarterback what Smith argues only true elites can do: shaping outcomes beyond their own team, while defining the era through both performance and influence.
Read the full article here
