Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes extends streak of appearing on annual NFL offseason list, but is still probably unhappy about it

From NFL.com: "Mahomes posted career-low numbers in his seventh season as a starter, but the respect he garners from his peers maintains a top-10 ranking within the Top 100 -- a streak that began in 2019 after his first year as Chiefs QB1. The two-time most valuable player once again faced adversity with a depleted receiving corps in 2024, resulting in the second straight year without a 1,000-yard pass catcher.

"Of course, that didn't prevent Mahomes from leading Kansas City to a 15-1 record as a starter and a third straight Super Bowl appearance. While he burst onto the scene with incredible passing numbers, winning football games has been the 29-year-old's specialty -- achieving such success with incredible field awareness in the pocket and on the run, with his biggest plays often coming in the fourth quarter, where he led the league in fourth-quarter comebacks (five) and game-winning drives (seven) this past season.

"Mahomes' knack for making the impossible throws also sets him apart, and although the numbers might have prevented Mahomes from making his seventh straight Pro Bowl, there's arguably no other QB you'd want with the game on the line. Mahomes completed 74 downfield passes (10-plus air yards) for 1,512 yards, averaging 10.0 yards per attempt, all of which are career-lows. From 2018-2023, he led all QBs in downfield completions (562) and yards (13,078) while generating 11.9 yards per attempt (fourth-most among QBs with at least 250 downfield attempts in that span)."

Mahomes is probably unhappy with his ranking

We know Mahomes well enough by now that anything other than first place is a disappointment. It shouldn't come as a surprise that he wasn't No. 1 after he posted career-lows in passing yards and passing touchdowns last season. However, an argument could be made that he should be the top ranked QB.

Josh Allen (No. 3) and Lamar Jackson (No. 2) each came in ahead of Mahomes on the list. Allen was the 2024 NFL MVP, but threw for fewer yards and a lower completion percentage than both Mahomes and Jackson. Mahomes won more games than Allen, and of course defeated him in the AFC Championship Game.

Statistically, Jackson outpaced Mahomes in every passing category, but won three less game during the regular season and lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. At the end of the day, it's just a list, and realistically most people are going to take Mahomes over any other QB in the NFL. He'll look to get back to posting MVP caliber numbers in 2025 with an expectedly improved offensive line an wide receiver corpse.