Patrick Mahomes Drops to No. 4 in Latest All-Time QB Rankings After Turbulent 2025 Season
For years, Patrick Mahomes has been viewed as the only quarterback capable of chasing down the legacy of Tom Brady.
The Kansas City Chiefs superstar built a résumé at a historic pace.
Multiple MVP awards.
Multiple Super Bowl titles.
Unmatched postseason production before turning 30.
But after a turbulent 2025 campaign, the conversation has shifted.
And the latest all-time quarterback rankings reflect that change.
On February 17, Bleacher Report released its list of the top 99 quarterbacks in NFL history.
Mahomes did not land at No. 2 behind Brady.
He did not even secure the No. 3 position.
Instead, Mahomes was ranked No. 4 all-time.
The Updated All-Time Rankings
Bleacher Report’s aggregate staff ranking placed Brady at No. 1.
Joe Montana came in at No. 2.
Peyton Manning secured No. 3.
Mahomes followed at No. 4.
Notably, not a single voter placed Mahomes second on their individual ballots.
His highest individual placement was No. 3 overall.
Current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers rounded out the top five, just behind Mahomes.
For a player once seen as Brady’s inevitable successor atop the all-time list, the drop signals a recalibration of expectations.
Why Mahomes Fell in the Rankings
Bleacher Report acknowledged Mahomes’ historic pace early in his career.
By age 30, he had won two league MVP awards.
He claimed three Super Bowl MVPs.
He led the NFL in passing touchdowns and QBR twice and passing yards once.
He became the fastest player in NFL history to reach 30,000 passing yards and 250 touchdowns.
In the postseason, his numbers remain staggering.
Mahomes ranks sixth all-time in playoff passing yards with 5,814.
He ranks second in playoff passing touchdowns with 46.
His postseason completion percentage of 67.7 percent is better than any quarterback with more than six playoff starts.
The résumé is elite.
So what changed.
The 2025 season disrupted the narrative.
Kansas City failed to maintain its dominant rhythm.
Offensive inconsistencies emerged.
Mahomes’ statistical production dipped compared to previous seasons.
While not catastrophic, it was enough to slow the “greatest of all-time” momentum that had been building.
All-time rankings are not just about peak brilliance.
They are about sustained excellence.
And that is where Brady’s longevity continues to create separation.
Comparing Mahomes to the Legends Above Him
Brady’s seven Super Bowl titles and sustained dominance across two decades set an almost unreachable benchmark.
Montana’s four Super Bowl rings and three All-Pro selections cemented his legendary postseason aura.
Manning’s five NFL MVP awards and seven All-Pro honors reflect unmatched individual recognition.
Mahomes, meanwhile, owns two NFL MVPs, three Lombardi Trophies, three Super Bowl MVPs, one Offensive Player of the Year award, six Pro Bowls, and two All-Pro selections.
His career win percentage of 75.4 percent surpasses both Manning and Montana.
His career completion percentage of 66.2 percent is also superior to both Hall of Famers.
Statistically, Mahomes remains on pace with the greatest to ever play the position.
But pacing matters less than totality in all-time discussions.
Longevity and durability over 15 to 20 seasons separate iconic greatness from early brilliance.
The Longevity Factor
Mahomes’ early-career surge created comparisons to Brady at unprecedented speed.
However, Brady’s dominance extended deep into his 40s.
He adapted to roster turnover.
He evolved through system changes.
He sustained excellence over two full decades.
Mahomes is only at the midpoint of his prime.
The “back nine” of his career will ultimately define whether he climbs higher on lists like this one.
A rebound season in 2026, particularly if it includes another Super Bowl run, could quickly alter the narrative again.
Momentum in historical rankings can shift rapidly with championships.
Is the Ranking Fair
Critics may argue that penalizing Mahomes for a single down season is premature.
Supporters will point to his historic efficiency and postseason dominance as evidence he still belongs directly behind Brady.
Detractors will emphasize that Montana and Manning completed longer arcs of sustained greatness.
Ultimately, the ranking reflects a pause rather than a verdict.
Mahomes remains firmly in the all-time top five.
He remains the most talented quarterback of his generation.
And he remains the only active player realistically positioned to challenge Brady’s legacy.
If Kansas City rebounds and Mahomes adds another Lombardi Trophy or two, the conversation will change once more.
For now, No. 4 represents not a fall from greatness, but a reminder.
Greatness is measured over decades, not moments.
And Patrick Mahomes still has plenty of chapters left to write.
