ESPN’s annual NFL quarterback poll has once again named Patrick Mahomes the top quarterback for 2025.
Each year, a group comprised of NFL executives, coaches and scouts come together to rank every quarterback in the league.
This year, the Kansas City Chiefs star QB was a unanimous selection for the top spot, marking the third year in a row that he has been ranked first overall, and the fifth time in the last six seasons.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, though, an anonymous AFC scout believes that Mahomes has lost some of his ‘fear factor’ that made opposition defenses tremble.
“An AFC scout noted that Mahomes “probably doesn’t have that same fear factor” from opponents that he had a few years ago but also expects him to bounce back in 2025, with a healthier receiving corps and a rebuilt offensive line,” Fowler wrote.
Despite leading the Chiefs to their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six seasons, where they faltered after a dominant display by the Philadelphia Eagles, Mahomes’ numbers in the 2024 season were subpar by his own very high standards.
Through 16 games, Mahomes – who has been criticised of late for his conditioning – threw for 3,928 yards, his lowest output since assuming the starting quarterback role in 2018.
The six-time Pro Bowler also finished the 2024 regular season having registered 26 touchdown passes – his fewest since 2019 (26) – and 11 interceptions.
In Super Bowl LIX, though, as the Chiefs bid for a historic three-peat, Mahomes struggled, throwing for 257 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in their 40-22 loss to the Jalen Hurts-led Eagles.
Despite this, the 29-year-old’s statistical decline in the 2024 season has seen some attribute his numbers to the performances of those in front of him, as well as the struggles of his receiving corps, including veteran tight end Travis Kelce.
Fowler detailed how a veteran NFL coordinator – again anonymous – argued that context is key.
“OL in decline, particularly at tackle, WR group completely cleaned out by injury, [Travis] Kelce not near the same player,” a veteran NFL coordinator said about Mahomes’ supporting cast,” Fowler wrote.
“I thought he had more command of time/score/situation and better fundamentals from within the pocket than ever. He’s a one-man army. And no NFL coach wants to deal with him.
Complete dawg. No one like him. Maybe [Joe] Burrow but Burrow isn’t as dangerous as a player.”
Kelce, 35, endured one of the worst seasons of his career in 2024, which has led to speculation over whether the 2025 season will prove to be the three-time Super Bowl champion’s last in the NFL.
Behind Mahomes in the rankings came reigning league Most Valuable Player award-winner Josh Allen, followed by Joe Burrow and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, ranked third and fourth, respectively.
The Buffalo Bills star – who was forced to send out mass emails as he dreamt of landing a college football scholarship – has jumped up a spot from 2024, after totalling almost 4,300 total yards, 40 touchdowns and six interceptions, despite a lack of a star No. 1 receiver at his disposal.
Dubbed as epitomizing “the modern quarterback”, Allen led the NFL in QBR (85.3) and yards per dropback (6.5) under pressure. He also had the lowest sack rate in the league on all dropbacks (2.6 percent).
One reason that he was not ranked at No. 1 overall over Mahomes was simply because he hasn’t yet reached the Super Bowl, let alone win it.
“He’s done everything,” an NFC personnel executive said. “He’s answered every test. He makes less mistakes and takes care of the ball. Only thing left to do is win it all.”
Similar cases have been made for Burrow and Jackson, with the Cincinnati Bengals franchise star making NFL history by becoming the first player to tally 250 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in eight consecutive games.
However, Burrow’s – who initially didn’t even think he was good enough to play D1 college football – performances alone were not good enough to carry his team to the post-season.
On the other hand, Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, has seemingly been underrated by those around the NFL since he entered the league as a rookie in 2018.
One of the best rushing threats, if not the greatest, at his position, Jackson has revitalized the quarterback position, and simultaneously made it much more engrossing to watch as ever.
Despite many having doubts over his passing ability, the 28-year-old firmly put those claims to rest last season, making history by becoming the first player in NFL history to record 40 passing touchdowns and four or fewer interceptions in a single season.
Why he has stayed at No. 4 overall on ESPN’s list for the second straight year may be bewildering to some.
However, with Mahomes having the championship-winning pedigree to back up his case, there is little wonder why he is still very much the one to beat.
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