Nick Wright of FOX Sports has unveiled the initial edition of his NFL quarterback power rankings, dubbed "Mahomes Mountain," with Patrick Mahomes retaining the No. 1 position. Wright acknowledged that while Mahomes may not have had his best individual season and is recovering from a torn ACL, his consistent success, including five Super Bowl appearances in the last seven years, justifies his continued ranking atop the league.
However, not all analysts agree. Chris Broussard, also with FOX Sports, argued that Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams should now hold the top spot. Broussard cited Mahomes' recent performance and injury, as well as a perceived lack of a "special" receiving core, as reasons for his decline. Stafford, on the other hand, is credited with an "unbelievable year" and the opportunity to seize the No. 1 ranking, an opportunity Broussard believes he took.
Wright's "Mahomes Mountain" tiers also place quarterbacks into different categories based on their perceived reliability and potential. He noted that "18 or 19 teams feel pretty good about their quarterback situation," while others are left with unproven young players or veterans who do not inspire confidence.
In the seventh row, Wright placed quarterbacks with the potential to elevate their teams but also carry the risk of detrimental play. This group includes Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, and Aaron Rodgers. Wright expressed skepticism about some of the younger players, noting they have yet to prove themselves.
The sixth row features quarterbacks who have demonstrated their capabilities but are not yet considered consistent week-in and week-out starters. This tier includes Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, and C.J. Stroud. Wright considers Stroud to be on the borderline of this group and the next, highlighting his three playoff wins and strong rookie season.
Wright's fifth row is reserved for "solid" quarterbacks whose teams are confident in their abilities, though they may lack the "superhero traits" of those ranked higher. The fourth row includes quarterbacks Wright identifies as "clearly top-10 quarterbacks," such as Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, and Sam Darnold.
In the third row are quarterbacks with "superhero talent" or who are "already superheroes," with Lamar Jackson falling into this category despite some perceived concerns about his playoff performance and rushing consistency. Wright also included Drake Maye and Caleb Williams in this tier, predicting they will be perennial top-5 quarterbacks during their primes due to their athletic capabilities.
The debate over the league's best quarterback continues as the NFL season approaches, with Mahomes' sustained dominance facing challenges from rising stars and established veterans.