Patrick Mahomes Reacts to QB Rankings Drop After Injury-Hit Season

Patrick Mahomes has dropped to second place in ESPN’s 2026 quarterback rankings, ending his three-year reign at the top. The Kansas City Chiefs star, who led the NFL for years, now sits behind Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen in the latest positional rankings.

What Happened in the Rankings?

ESPN’s annual quarterback rankings sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. After dominating the top spot for three straight years, Mahomes slipped to No. 2, with Allen claiming the No. 1 position. The list also features Matthew Stafford at No. 3, followed by Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson in fourth and fifth place.

Fox Sports analyst Mark Gunnels strongly disagreed with Mahomes’ drop, calling him the "second greatest of all time" on X. "Imagine saying a current quarterback is better than Patrick Mahomes who has three Super Bowl MVPs and two regular season MVPs," Gunnels wrote. "He’s already the second greatest of all-time. Only Tom Brady is ahead of him."

Why Did Mahomes Drop in the Rankings?

In an interview with Yahoo Sports Daily, Mahomes attributed his ranking drop to last season’s injury struggles. The Chiefs QB suffered a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee in December, limiting him to just 14 games. Despite throwing for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, Mahomes acknowledged the impact of his injury and the team’s performance.

"You understand it," Mahomes said. "Coming off injury and we didn’t play as well as we wanted to in the last few years. You are going to drop in the rankings of some sort, but at the same time there’s a lot of good quarterbacks on that list."

What Comes Next for Mahomes?

Mahomes remains determined to reclaim the top spot. "I am just happy to be a part of it," he said. "You’ve got to go out and prove it every single year, so its my job this year to prove why I can jump up to the list back to No. 1."

With the 2026 NFL season approaching, Mahomes will look to bounce back from injury and lead the Chiefs to another championship run. His response to the rankings shows the competitive fire that has defined his career.