The NFL world woke up to a major shocker this morning: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes — widely considered the face of the league and one of the greatest talents in football history — has been ranked No. 6 on the NFL’s annual Top 100 players list. Yes, you read that correctly. The two-time league MVP, three-time Super Bowl champion, and the architect of one of the most dominant dynasties in modern NFL history is not in the top five. For many fans, this revelation feels like a slap in the face, and the backlash has been immediate and explosive.
After leading the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Bowl victories and cementing his status as a generational player, Mahomes was widely expected to claim the No. 1 spot — or, at the very least, land in the top two. Instead, he falls behind several other superstars, sparking intense debate across social media and sports talk shows. Is this a case of disrespect toward Mahomes? Or is there some merit to this surprising ranking?
Let’s break down the controversy, examine the reasoning behind the ranking, and find out what Mahomes himself had to say about the decision.
Who Ranked Higher Than Patrick Mahomes?
The NFL Top 100 is voted on by the players themselves, making it a unique perspective on who truly dominates on the field. However, this year’s top spots have raised eyebrows. According to the official release, the players ranked above Mahomes include:
- Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota Vikings)
- Micah Parsons (LB, Dallas Cowboys)
- Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati Bengals)
- Tyreek Hill (WR, Miami Dolphins)
- Aaron Donald (DT, Los Angeles Rams)
While all five players are unquestionably elite, the idea that Mahomes — the most accomplished quarterback in football today — sits at No. 6 has many questioning whether the voting system prioritizes recency bias, popularity, or personal rivalries over consistent dominance.
Mahomes’ Incredible Resume
Before we dive deeper into the debate, let’s remind ourselves of what Patrick Mahomes has accomplished:
- Three Super Bowl Wins (2019, 2022, 2023)
- Two NFL MVP Awards (2018, 2022)
- Two Super Bowl MVP Awards
- Five consecutive AFC Championship appearances
- Over 4,000 passing yards in every full season as a starter
Mahomes isn’t just great — he’s historically great. His combination of arm talent, mobility, and football IQ has redefined what a modern quarterback can do. Yet, somehow, he’s being labeled as only the sixth-best player in the league. If that’s not shocking, what is?
Fan Reactions: Chiefs Kingdom Erupts
Unsurprisingly, the reaction from Kansas City fans — and much of the football world — has been fiery. Social media platforms have been flooded with hashtags like #MahomesIsNo1 and #NFLTop100Fail. Chiefs fans argue that the ranking disrespects a player who has carried the franchise to heights it has never seen before.
Some of the most viral fan comments include:
- “Mahomes is No. 6? After winning back-to-back Super Bowls? Stop the madness!”
- “How do you rank Joe Burrow over Mahomes when Burrow can’t even beat him in the playoffs?”
- “The NFL Top 100 is officially a joke. Mahomes is the best player on the planet.”
Even neutral fans and analysts are chiming in, with many questioning whether the ranking system needs an overhaul.
Why Did This Happen? Breaking Down the Logic
So, why would the players rank Mahomes this low? Several theories have emerged:
- Player Voting Bias: The NFL Top 100 is voted on by players, who may base decisions on personal matchups, friendships, or rivalries rather than overall dominance.
- Recency Bias and Highlight Plays: Players like Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill are flashy, producing jaw-dropping highlights that stick in voters’ minds. Mahomes, while spectacular, makes greatness look routine.
- Defensive Dominance: Aaron Donald and Micah Parsons are defensive juggernauts. Voters often want to reward those who excel in less glamorous positions.
- “Mahomes Fatigue”: There’s a sense that Mahomes’ greatness is so expected that it’s almost taken for granted. Voters may have opted to spread the love elsewhere.
What Did Patrick Mahomes Say?
In typical Mahomes fashion, the Chiefs quarterback handled the news with humility and grace. When asked about the ranking during a press conference, Mahomes responded:
“I’ve never played this game for rankings or lists. For me, it’s about winning championships and being the best teammate I can be. Those lists don’t win games. What matters is what we do on the field as a team.”
This response only adds to Mahomes’ reputation as a leader who keeps his focus on the big picture. While fans may be outraged, it’s clear Mahomes has bigger goals in mind: continuing to win and building a legacy that speaks louder than any list.
Media and Analyst Reactions
The sports media world wasted no time weighing in on the controversy. Here’s what some experts had to say:
- Shannon Sharpe: “This is flat-out disrespect. Patrick Mahomes should be No. 1 every single year until somebody knocks him off that throne.”
- Stephen A. Smith: “Micah Parsons and Justin Jefferson are amazing. But if Patrick Mahomes isn’t the best player in the NFL, who is? This makes no sense.”
- Rich Eisen: “It feels like voters are overthinking this. Mahomes is the most impactful player in the league. Period.”
Impact on Mahomes and the Chiefs
While the ranking has no bearing on actual football outcomes, moments like these can serve as extra motivation. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was quick to downplay the controversy, joking with reporters: “Good. Put him at No. 100 if you want. He’ll just go out and prove everybody wrong again.”
Given Mahomes’ track record of using perceived slights as fuel, this could spell trouble for opposing defenses. If history has taught us anything, it’s that a motivated Mahomes is an unstoppable Mahomes.
The Bigger Picture: Are Player-Voted Lists Flawed?
This incident has reignited a larger debate: Should the NFL Top 100 list continue to be player-voted? While the concept is appealing, the subjectivity involved often leads to rankings that don’t align with on-field results. Critics argue for a hybrid system involving players, coaches, and media analysts to create a more balanced evaluation.
Until then, fans should remember that lists like these are conversation starters, not definitive measures of greatness. Patrick Mahomes’ resume speaks for itself — and no ranking can diminish that.
Disrespect or Just Debate?
Patrick Mahomes being ranked No. 6 on the NFL Top 100 is, without a doubt, shocking. For some, it’s disrespect. For others, it’s just a reflection of the subjective nature of the list. But one thing is clear: Mahomes isn’t losing any sleep over it — and neither should Chiefs fans. Because when the season kicks off, rankings won’t matter. Wins will.
In the end, Mahomes said it best: “Lists don’t win games.” And if history is any indicator, he’ll keep proving that on the biggest stage, where it matters most.
Stay tuned for more NFL Top 100 analysis, reactions from around the league, and what this means for Mahomes’ 2025 campaign.
