Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers
If you’ve watched NFL games in the last several years, you’ve probably seen them together, and not on the field. Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers have been two of the faces of State Farm’s long-running ad campaign, playing up a playful rivalry alongside a fictional sports agent. They’ve also faced off on the golf course in a made-for-TV match.
Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are two of the most gifted quarterbacks of their generation. Rodgers is a four-time MVP known for pinpoint accuracy and creative throws. Mahomes is a three-time Super Bowl champion who has redefined what a quarterback can do.
This article covers their shared moments, both of their backgrounds, career highlights, and their 2026 seasons.
Quick Facts
| Patrick Mahomes | Aaron Rodgers | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Lavon Mahomes II | Aaron Charles Rodgers |
| Born | September 17, 1995 | December 2, 1983 |
| Birthplace | Tyler, Texas | Chico, California |
| College | Texas Tech | Butte College, then California |
| Teams | Kansas City Chiefs | Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Super Bowl titles | 3 | 1 |
| NFL MVPs | 2 | 4 |
Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers Off the Field
State Farm Commercials
Rodgers had already been part of State Farm’s “Agent vs. Agent” ad campaign when the company added Mahomes in September 2019. The spots featured actor David Haydn-Jones as a sports agent named Gabe Gabriel, with Rodgers and Mahomes competing for attention. One ad showed the two quarterbacks leading teams dressed in State Farm uniforms. The campaign made them one of the most familiar duos in NFL commercials.
The Match (2022)
In June 2022, the two quarterbacks met on the golf course in The Match, a televised charity event. Rodgers teamed up with Tom Brady against Mahomes and Josh Allen. Brady and Rodgers won the match.
Mutual Respect
Both players have spoken highly of each other over the years. Their creative styles, including no-look passes, sidearm throws, and off-platform plays, have often drawn comparisons.
Patrick Mahomes: Early Life and Education
Patrick Mahomes was born on September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas. His father, Pat Mahomes, pitched in Major League Baseball, so Patrick grew up around pro sports. He played football, baseball, and basketball at Whitehouse High School before choosing football at Texas Tech, where he led the nation in passing in 2016.
Patrick Mahomes: Career Timeline
- 2017: Drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
- 2018: Threw 50 touchdowns and won NFL MVP in his first season as a starter.
- 2020: Won Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl MVP, then signed a 10-year extension worth up to about $450 million.
- 2023: Won Super Bowl LVII and his second NFL MVP.
- 2024: Won Super Bowl LVIII, giving the Chiefs back-to-back titles.
- 2025: Lost Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles. In December, he tore his ACL and had surgery the next day.
- 2026: Was cleared to return, with Andy Reid naming him the starter for the Chiefs’ Week 1 game in September.
Aaron Rodgers: Early Life and Education
Aaron Rodgers was born on December 2, 1983, in Chico, California. He wasn’t heavily recruited out of Pleasant Valley High School, so he played a year at Butte College, a community college. His strong play there earned him a spot at the University of California, Berkeley, where he became a star.
Aaron Rodgers: Career Timeline
- 2005: Drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers after a long, famous wait in the draft green room.
- 2008: Took over as the Packers’ starter after Brett Favre’s departure.
- 2011: Won Super Bowl XLV and Super Bowl MVP.
- 2011 and 2014: Won his first two NFL MVP awards.
- 2020 and 2021: Won back-to-back MVPs, giving him four in total.
- 2023: Traded to the New York Jets, but tore his Achilles tendon four plays into his first game.
- 2025: Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- 2026: Returned to the Steelers and said this season would be his last before retiring.
How Their Careers Compare
| Category | Patrick Mahomes | Aaron Rodgers |
|---|---|---|
| Draft position | 10th overall (2017) | 24th overall (2005) |
| Super Bowl wins | 3 (LIV, LVII, LVIII) | 1 (XLV) |
| Super Bowl MVPs | 3 | 1 |
| Regular season MVPs | 2 | 4 |
| Signature style | No-look passes, scrambling throws | Precision, deep accuracy, Hail Marys |
| Teams | One franchise | Three franchises |
What Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers Have in Common
- Creativity: Both make throws that seem impossible.
- MVP awards: Together they’ve won six regular season MVPs.
- Super Bowl wins: Both have led their teams to championships.
- State Farm stars: Both have been faces of the same ad campaign.
- Comebacks from injury: Mahomes returned from a torn ACL. Rodgers returned from a torn Achilles.
Different Paths to Greatness
Rodgers had to wait. He sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons before becoming a starter. Mahomes also sat behind a veteran, Alex Smith, but only for one season before taking over. Once they got their chances, both became elite almost immediately.
Their careers have also followed different arcs. Mahomes has spent his whole career in Kansas City, building a dynasty. Rodgers moved to New York and Pittsburgh late in his career, chasing one more title.
Where Are They Now?
Patrick Mahomes returned for the start of the 2026 season, about nine months after ACL surgery, leading the Chiefs again.
Aaron Rodgers is playing what he has called his final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Where to Watch
State Farm’s ads with both quarterbacks are on YouTube. Highlights of The Match 2022 are available online, along with career highlight reels of both players on the NFL’s official channels.
Lessons From Their Careers
- Be patient. Rodgers waited three years to start, and Mahomes waited one.
- Stay creative. Both win by doing things other quarterbacks don’t try.
- Bounce back. Both returned from major injuries.
- Enjoy the rivalry. Their ads and golf match show how friendly competition can be fun.
Life Beyond Football
Patrick Mahomes owns stakes in Sporting Kansas City, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current. He runs the 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, which supports children’s health and wellness programs. He has also built a long list of endorsements beyond State Farm.
Aaron Rodgers became a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2018. In 2021, he guest hosted Jeopardy!, fulfilling a long-held dream as a fan of the show. He’s also a big golf fan, which made The Match a natural fit.
Styles on the Field
Rodgers is known for one of the quickest, most accurate releases in NFL history and for throwing very few interceptions. He also became famous for completing long Hail Mary passes. Mahomes is known for improvisation, from left-handed flips to no-look throws, and for making big plays when a play breaks down.
For fans of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, watching their highlights side by side shows two different kinds of genius at quarterback.
In Short
In short, Rodgers is the veteran master of accuracy nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career, and Mahomes is the creative star building one of the greatest resumes in NFL history. Their friendly rivalry has entertained fans on and off the field, from TV commercials to the golf course, and fans will miss it when Rodgers retires.
Final Thoughts
Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers are two of the most talented quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen. Off the field, they’ve shared screen time in State Farm ads and competed on the golf course. On the field, Rodgers has collected four MVPs, while Mahomes has built a dynasty with three Super Bowl titles. As Rodgers plays his final season and Mahomes returns from injury, the story of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers remains one of the most entertaining in football.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Mahomes was born September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas. Aaron Rodgers was born December 2, 1983, in Chico, California.
- Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers starred together in State Farm’s “Agent vs. Agent” ads, with Mahomes joining in September 2019.
- In The Match in June 2022, Rodgers and Tom Brady beat Mahomes and Josh Allen in a televised golf event.
- Mahomes has won three Super Bowls and two MVPs. He tore his ACL in December 2025 and was cleared for Week 1 of 2026.
- Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV and four MVPs with the Packers, then played for the Jets and Steelers.
- Rodgers said 2026 would be his final NFL season.
- Both are creative, record-setting quarterbacks who came back from serious injuries.
