Patrick Mahomes, the dude who’s been holding down the top spot in ESPN’s annual quarterback survey for three straight years, just got bumped. Yeah, you heard that right. The league’s decision-makers, all those NFL executives, coaches, and scouts, ranked him second this year. But don’t get it twisted, nobody thinks he’s suddenly not one of football’s most dangerous players.
How the Top Spot Slipped Away
Mahomes may have slipped to second, ending his three-year reign at No. 1, but this wasn’t some unanimous smackdown. The man actually received more first-place votes than any other quarterback in the survey! Let that sink in. Still, Josh Allen ultimately snatched the top ranking because he posted a stronger overall average across every single ballot. It’s wild how that works, isn’t it? Even with more guys saying he’s THE best, a few second-place votes can change the math. But for anyone who actually watches the games, you know what Mahomes brings.
The Critics, The Fear, and the Truth
Even those who ranked Mahomes second can’t deny the pressure he puts on every single opposing defense. One NFL quarterbacks coach flat out said, “He still puts fear in people like no other quarterback.” They’re talking about his rare combo of talent and competitiveness, which gives his team a shot in every game, no matter the situation. We all saw some of the challenges last season, right? The Kansas City offense struggled to establish a consistent running game, and that receiving group never really developed into a consistent threat before Mahomes went down with an ACL injury in December.
Of course, not every evaluator sees things the same way. One veteran defensive coach pointed out that Mahomes sometimes “held the ball too long” and forced throws instead of taking easier completions. Fair enough, nobody’s perfect! But even that same coach, with all his critiques, quickly acknowledged Mahomes’ insane value, saying, “If they don’t have him, they win three games, tops.” That’s a pretty telling statement about what he means to that squad.
So, what does this No. 2 ranking really mean? As Mahomes enters his 10th season in the NFL, his stats are still off the charts. He ranks second in touchdown passes and third in passing yards among quarterbacks in their first nine seasons. That’s not just good, that’s legendary stuff already. And here’s the kicker: this slight dip in the rankings has done absolutely nothing to change how opponents prepare for Kansas City whenever they step onto the field. They’re still prepping for a nightmare. This dude is still an absolute game-wrecker, and that’s not changing anytime soon.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.