Joe Montana’s surprising QB list excludes Patrick Mahomes entirely

It's hard to surprise anyone in Chiefs Kingdom these days when it comes to a disrespectful take on Patrick Mahomes. At this stage, the only way to get anyone to pay attention in the onslaught of NFL media is to say something outlandish, and part of that has become taking regular shots at the best quarterback in the game.

So while we've largely learned to disregard silly lists and blowhard opinions, it's a bit more difficult to dismiss someone when they've been a franchise legend for the Kansas City Chiefs as well.

Former Chiefs quarterback Joe Montana appeared on the Pat McAfee Show and was asked the following question: "If you were a general manager or head coach today, pick the top three quarterbacks you'd want to start your franchise with and why." Montana's answers were rather interesting.

Joe Cool's entire quarterback list is a confusing exercise.

First, Montana starts with Josh Allen, who he refers to as, "I'm taking the guy in Buffalo." This makes it immediately clear that maybe Montana is becoming a casual fan of the game he mastered for so many years in San Francisco and Kansas City. That's because his reference to "the guy" comes on more than one occasion.

Following his pick of Allen as QB1 on his list, Montana says, "Obviously, Burrows." Yes, that's pronounced wrong because there's no plural here, unless Joe Cool is wanting to include the entire family of Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. Maybe they're all great people.

From there, things get really odd. "Believe it or not," Montana starts, which sets up what you know will be a weird inclusion, "I like the guy with the Chargers." Again, Montana has no clue who anyone's real name is, but he's giving his list anyway. He was referring to Justin Herbert, obviously.

If there's one thing we can agree on with Montana here, is that he adds the following aside when diagnosing Herbert and the Chargers: "I think they've kind of gone by the wayside there." Yeah, that's the nine straight consecutive AFC West titles that the quarterback you won't mention has earned, Joe.

After being asked for three quarterbacks, Montana should be done with his list at this point, but he's quick to interject something. It's here that at least a Patrick Mahomes oversight would save face, but that would make too much sense. Instead he interrupts to add a fourth quarterback by saying, "I do also like the guy in Philly."

Another guy in another city. And yet that guy, Jalen Hurts, still isn't "the guy in Kansas City."

If you're wondering how in the world Joe Montana leaves Patrick Mahomes off of such a list, you're not alone. The one asking the question wonders the same and says, "I thought he might have thrown Patrick Mahomes in there," only for Montana to retort, "I think I would have if he was younger."

Then comes at least some sort of disclaimer: "Although, I got to go back. [Quarterbacks] are not getting hit as much today, so we'd probably play forever. So I should probably add a Patrick in there."

So let's get this straight. Josh Allen is four months older than Patrick Mahomes and has three fewer Super Bowls, but he's the top choice? Lamar Jackson is left out entirely? Justin Herbert is somehow included in a top three? And Burrow, who is only one year younger than Mahomes, is also fair game?

It feels weird to pick a list from Joe Montana apart given the fact that he's one of the greatest quarterbacks in Chiefs history as well. However, it's clear that he's reached the "this guy" phase of his sports analysis, so pardon us if we just nod and say, "Sounds good, Joe" the next time he wants to make a list.