PHOENIX – Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes has set his sights on being the greatest quarterback ever, according to his Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

Mahomes, 27, clinched his second Super Bowl ring as he led the Chiefs back from 10 points down at half-time, throwing three touchdowns as his team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 on Sunday.

He joins Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Eli Manning, Terry Bradshaw and Bart Starr as quarterbacks who have won two Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards.

But Reid suggested that Mahomes, whose father Pat was a professional baseball player, has his sights set even higher.

“He grew up in a locker room and he has seen the greats and he strives to be the greatest. Without (him) saying anything, that is the way he works. He wants to be the greatest player ever, that is what he wants to do and he goes about his business and does it humbly,” said Reid.

Mahomes became only the 13th starting quarterback to win more than one Super Bowl ring. He also became the 11th player to win the Super Bowl and National Football League MVP in the same season, the first since 1999.

Reid, 64, said that after they left the field, he told Mahomes how much he appreciated his approach.

“I told him I love him, I am proud of him for leading the way there,” he said.

“He is a humble kid and works his tail off and as a coach you respect everything that he does there.”

Mahomes completed 21 of 27 passes, throwing for three touchdowns, 182 yards and no interceptions in the final.

Reid said those kind of numbers, like others he has produced in his career, could go to a player’s head but not the Texan’s.

“There is no bragging. He could stand here and give you the stats he has that are incredible but he doesn’t do that,” he said, noting that he has an ability that cannot be quantified in numbers.

“When it is time for the guys around him to raise their game, he helps them with that.

“The great quarterbacks make everyone around them better, including the head coach. He has done a heck of a job.”

Mahomes has battled against the pain of an ankle injury throughout the post-season, including the Super Bowl. His teammate, tight end Travis Kelce, said he had shown fortitude.

“Toughest son of gun you ever met, man. That Texas gunslinger ain’t going to let nothing get in the way,” Kelce said.

Mahomes has been described as a “magician” and an “escape artist” for his ability to avoid tacklers but on Sunday, he also showcased his courage and steel, saying he did not take any painkillers.

“That competitor in you, to be in this game, it’s what you work for your entire life. I knew I wasn’t coming out of this game,” he added.

“Even with that high ankle sprain, I kind of re-aggravated it a little bit. I’ll worry about that in the off-season.”

Despite his coach’s claims, Mahomes is reluctant to even speak about a Chiefs dynasty, let alone his own legacy.

After leading Kansas City past San Francisco in 2020 for their first Super Bowl win in 50 years, supporters were excited for more titles, even after they lost to Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay in 2021.

Now, with three conference crowns in four years, the Chiefs appear to be the team to beat again next season.

Mahomes said: “I’m not going to say dynasty yet. Because we’re not done. We’ve got a long way to go to call ourselves a dynasty.

“We’re going to keep fighting. We’ve got a lot of young dudes on this team. I like our chances next year as well.” AFP, REUTERS