Getty Image / Michael Owens
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly the king of the NFL. The three-time and back-to-back Super Bowl Champion is quickly rising up the all-time quarterback race, with maybe only Tom Brady still ahead of him at just 28 years old.
So, everyone expected him to ciaim the top spot on the annual NFL 100 list published by NFL Network which has the league’s players vote on the best 100 players. But, he’s number 4, to the shock of many.
The top five on the list when the top ten was revealed on Friday night was Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill in the top spot, followed by Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, Mahomes, and Browns DE Myles Garrett.
Those are all great players, but not having Patrick Mahomes at number one seems pretty ridiculous. And, he’s not even the top quarterback, as Lamar Jackson beat him out.
Yes, last year was a down year for Patrick Mahomes statistically, as he threw for 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. But, a lot of that had to do with a lackluster receiving corps that had a ton of drops and struggled to get open outside of Travis Kelce and a late surge by Rashee Rice.
But, when push came to shove in the playoffs, Mahomes was brilliant again. Despite some poor weather conditions throughout the AFC Playoffs, he finished the postseason with 1051 yards and 6 touchdowns against just 1 interception as the Chiefs’ offense finally hit its stride. His second half and overtime in the Super Bowl win over the 49ers proved that he is the best football player in the National Football League.
But, the players voted Lamar Jackson, among others, ahead of him. Jackson did win his second MVP last season, and had a nice year, though it was a season that wouldn’t have won the award most other years. But, he once again was not nearly as good in the playoffs as he was in the regular season. While he is certainly a top 25 player in the league, #2 feels way too high, and he’s certainly not better than Patrick Mahomes.
I’m sure that Patrick Mahomes will prove that he is the NFL’s best player once again this season.