For years, Patrick Mahomes has stood at the summit of the NFL â a golden boy with a rocket arm, magician-like instincts, and a Super Bowl pedigree that made comparisons to legends like Brady and Manning feel not just possible, but inevitable.
But in a shocking offseason ranking by ESPN analysts and NFL insiders, Mahomes was dethroned. The No. 1 quarterback in the NFL heading into the 2025 season? Josh Allen.
And now, the question echoing through locker rooms, sports shows, and social media feeds is simple, yet almost unthinkable:
Is Patrick Mahomes… slipping?
𧨠The Fallout Begins
The NFL Top 100 rankings were supposed to confirm Mahomesâ dominance. Instead, the league’s reigning king was knocked to second place, sparking a tidal wave of debate.
Pundits pointed fingers at declining regular-season stats, his recent playoff exit, and even his chemistry issues with new wideouts. The once-unshakable Mahomes suddenly seemsâdare we sayâhuman.
âItâs not just about talent anymore. Josh Allen is showing leadership, hunger, and a fearless style thatâs redefining the modern QB,â said one anonymous AFC defensive coordinator. âMahomes? Heâs still elite. But the gapâs closing.â
𤯠Behind the Curtain: Trouble in Paradise?
Rumors are swirling behind closed doors in Kansas City. Some insiders report friction in the Chiefsâ locker room, citing Mahomes’ frustrations with offensive line changes and a perceived lack of urgency from his younger receivers.
And with Andy Reidâs future still uncertain, could Mahomes be entering a new, unsteady era in his career?
âThis isnât the same Chiefs dynasty we saw in 2019,â said an NFC executive. âMahomes is still phenomenal, but heâs not invincible anymore.â
đ The Stats Don’t Lie… Or Do They?
In 2024:
- Mahomes posted his lowest passer rating since his rookie year.
- He threw 13 interceptions, including two crucial picks in the AFC Divisional loss.
- He ranked 7th in completion percentageâhis lowest since 2020.
Meanwhile, Josh Allen exploded, leading the league in total touchdowns and commanding an offense that steamrolled through defenses like it was nothing.
Still, some argue the rankings are overreacting. âMahomes is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers,â said former QB Alex Smith. âOne âdown yearâ and now everyone wants to bury him?â
â ď¸ The Real Question No One Dares AskâŚ
Has Mahomes peaked?
Or worseâŚ
đ Is the NFL finally figuring him out?