Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Gets Bad News on Tuesday

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Gets Bad News on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Aug 18, 2026 11:14 AM ET

Patrick Mahomes watched on as the Kansas City Chiefs opened up the preseason with a 20-12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, sitting a majority of their starters in the process. The Chiefs will likely do the same in their final two preseason matches, when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday and the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 28.

Mahomes and the Chiefs had their fair share of struggles last season, finishing with a 6-11 record and missing out on the NFL playoffs entirely. To make matters worse, the former Texas Tech quarterback tore his ACL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers, ending his season.

And while Mahomes is expected to be healthy and ready to go for the Week 1 “Monday Night Football” matchup against the Denver Broncos, the Chiefs star has taken a hit in this year’s edition of the NFL Top 100.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers.Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

The NFL Top 100 ranks the league’s top 100 players each season based on votes from fellow players. And on Tuesday, the NFL revealed that Mahomes was voted the No. 18 player in this year’s rankings, his lowest placement in eight appearances on the list. It also marks a 13-spot drop from 2025, when he ranked No. 5.

The NFL noted that a reason Mahomes’ fall in the Top 100 is not only because he is coming off an ACL injury, but also because he had “his worst season since becoming the Chiefs starter in 2018.” In 2025, he finished the year completing 315-of-502 passes for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (19) and Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (20) place just right behind Mahomes on the NFL Top 100, while Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (17) places one spot ahead.

The Chiefs also have three other players on the NFL Top 100 so far, including defensive tackle Chris Jones at No. 43, tight end Travis Kelce at No. 79 and center Creed Humphrey at No. 94.

“The no. 18 spot belongs to no. 15 ⏰,” the Chiefs wrote on X.