A SHOCKING SNUB FOR PATRICK MAHOMES: For the past several years, Patrick Mahomes has been synonymous with greatness in the NFL, often regarded as the No. 1 quarterback in football. However, the 2025 NFL season brought an unexpected blow to his reputation when he was excluded from the top 10 quarterbacks in an NFL.com ranking, a significant deviation from his usual standing among the league’s elite.
In the latest article ranking quarterback play based on both the regular season and playoffs, Mahomes, despite being a two-time NFL MVP, was ranked 13th by Nick Shook of NFL.com. This ranking is a clear disrespect to Mahomes’ impact and contribution, especially considering his ability to keep the Kansas City Chiefs competitive in a season that was filled with struggles.
THE REASONS BEHIND MAHOMES’ SLUMP AND THE RESPECT LACKING IN HIS RANKING
Shook’s reasoning for placing Mahomes so far down the list was largely based on his struggles in the second half of the season. “Patrick Mahomes tried his best, but even he couldn’t save the Chiefs from their demise in 2025,” Shook explained. “The devil was in the details for much of the season, and when the margin for error shrunk late, Mahomes’ struggles increased, as evidenced by the 5-7 TD-INT ratio he posted from the start of November through his unfortunate season-ending ACL injury in Week 15.”
While it’s true that Mahomes had his challenges in the latter part of the season, it’s essential to remember the context. Mahomes played through a lot of adversity, from injuries to a less-than-ideal supporting cast. Yet, despite those difficulties, he still managed to throw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in just 14 games. That’s a far cry from a “bad” season, even if it wasn’t a career year by his standards.
A DISRESPECTFUL RANKING: HOW DID MAHOMES FALL BEHIND THESE QBS?
The NFL.com ranking has raised eyebrows not only because Mahomes dropped out of the top 10 but because of the quarterbacks who ranked ahead of him. According to Shook’s list, 12 quarterbacks were ranked higher than Mahomes, including some who have never come close to his level of play. Here’s a look at those players:
- Matthew Stafford
- Josh Allen
- Dak Prescott
- Drake Maye
- Justin Herbert
- Trevor Lawrence
- Sam Darnold
- Caleb Williams
- Jared Goff
- Joe Burrow
- Lamar Jackson
- Daniel Jones
While some of these quarterbacks, like Stafford, Maye, and Allen, had solid seasons statistically, it’s difficult to understand how they were considered better than Mahomes in 2025. Joe Burrow, for example, barely played due to injuries and had mixed results when he did. Similarly, Lamar Jackson had arguably the worst season of his career and was often sidelined with injuries. Daniel Jones may have had a bounce-back year in a run-heavy offense, but it’s hard to imagine anyone seriously taking him over Mahomes, given the choice.
WHY THIS SLIP IN RANKING IS SURPRISING AND UNJUST
The notion that Mahomes should have been ranked outside the top 10 is baffling. While it’s clear that 2025 wasn’t his best year, Mahomes remains one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, capable of putting the team on his back and keeping them in contention even when things are less than perfect. The argument that Mahomes’ struggles late in the season make him less deserving of a top spot is a poor take given the circumstances.
Furthermore, if Mahomes had been surrounded by a healthier and more consistent supporting cast, it’s possible the Chiefs would have performed better. Tyreek Hill’s departure, ongoing injuries to key players, and an inconsistent defense all contributed to the Chiefs’ issues, but Mahomes consistently kept them competitive, showing his value despite the team’s struggles.
MAHOMES’ INJURY RECOVERY AND DETERMINATION TO RETURN STRONG
Despite this disrespectful ranking, Mahomes remains undeterred. The 27-year-old star is already recovering quickly from his season-ending ACL injury. He has stated that his goal is to return by Week 1 of the 2026 season, though he acknowledged that early October might be a more realistic target.
Head coach Andy Reid and team president Clark Hunt have both been vocal in expressing confidence that Mahomes will be ready for the start of the season. As of February 5, Mahomes was seen walking without crutches, signaling that his recovery is on track.
THE LESSON FOR THE NFL: NEVER BET AGAINST PATRICK MAHOMES
Despite the disrespectful ranking, Patrick Mahomes is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league. His ability to bounce back from adversity and lead his team to success is unparalleled, and 2026 will likely see him return to his MVP-level form.
This ranking will serve as fuel for Mahomes, and if history has taught us anything, it’s that Mahomes thrives under doubt. As the Kansas City Chiefs aim for another Super Bowl run, it’s clear that Mahomes will be at the forefront of their efforts, no matter what outsiders may say about his abilities.
So, while Mahomes may have been snubbed in this ranking, there’s little doubt that he will soon remind everyone why he remains the gold standard for quarterbacks in the NFL. Disrespect now, but dominance later.
