49ers Joe Montana vs. Patriots Tom Brady: Revisiting the GOAT Argument after Super Bowl LI
By Peter Panacy
Super Bowl Hardware
While playoff statistics are certainly important, teams play for Super Bowls. Not playoff wins.
Tom Brady has more of those than Joe Montana. And while a 49ers fan might argue, “sure, Brady had a longer career and more chances,” one does have to take into account longevity and overall team dominance.
Both the 49ers and Patriots had that during both teams’ respective runs.
But Montana never got a fifth ring. Brady did.
Most #SuperBowl wins by a Quarterback EVER.
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 6, 2017
Congrats, Tom Brady! #SB51 pic.twitter.com/WSKALb54e5
Super Bowl Appearances
- Tom Brady: seven
- Joe Montana: four
Most Super Bowl Wins by a Quarterback
- Tom Brady: five
- Joe Montana: four
Most Super Bowl MVP Awards
- Tom Brady: four
- Joe Montana: three
Note the first stat — Super Bowl appearances. Even though Brady has two big-game losses to wear, the fact the Patriots have made so many Super Bowls during his tenure has to be considered.
Yes, the 49ers won all four of the games Montana appeared in. But that’s it, and one could argue Montana should have led such a dominant San Francisco team to more championship games.
And to convince the doubters, Brady’s run of dominance has spanned the better part of two decades. Montana’s era lasted a little more than one.