2026 NFL QB Tiers: Patrick Mahomes’ unanimous run ends, Lamar Jackson slips into loaded Tier 2
After three years, Patrick Mahomes is no longer the unanimous top quarterback in the NFL.
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- Detected The first matching coverage entered the Archynetys cluster.
- Peak measured velocity The recorded velocity reached 14.
- Evidence threshold reached The story had enough independent coverage for an explanatory brief.
- Latest coverage observed Most recent article currently attached to this story cluster.
Source diversity sample: JoeBucsFan.com · The Big Lead · Bleacher Report · Minnesota Vikings · Dawgs By Nature · Yahoo Sports · The New York Times.
How this dossier is built: methodology · AI policy · corrections.
The brief
Five outlets today published NFL quarterback rankings for 2026. The Athletic, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports and The New York Times all agree that Patrick Mahomes has been demoted from the top tier.
The Athletic's rankings place Mahomes in Tier 2, alongside Lamar Jackson, who has also slipped from Tier 1. The New York Times notes that Tier 2 is now "loaded", with several other quarterbacks receiving high marks.
The Minnesota Vikings' official site notes that The Athletic's rankings are based on a "seal of approval" from a panel of experts. The rankings also include former and current Cleveland Browns quarterbacks, with Dawgs By Nature noting that the rankings show a clear difference in the quality of play between the two groups.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: unsupported claims removed (86% supported) Updated 9h ago.
Who reported it (8)
- Baker Mayfield Is Ranked By 21 NFL Execs & 29 Coaches JoeBucsFan.com · 13h ago
- NFL executives ranked these 7 quarterbacks dead last The Big Lead · 13h ago
- B/R NFL 1000: Why Patrick Mahomes Is No Longer the Best QB in the NFL Bleacher Report · 14h ago
- Lunchbreak: The Athletic Unveils Quarterback Tier Rankings; A Seal of Approval at Center Minnesota Vikings · 14h ago
- NFL QB tiers: Where former Browns QBs rank versus current Cleveland QBs Dawgs By Nature · 14h ago
- Patrick Mahomes receives stunning demotion in new NFL quarterback rankings Yahoo Sports · 14h ago
- 2026 NFL QB Tiers: Patrick Mahomes’ unanimous run ends, Lamar Jackson slips into loaded Tier 2 The New York Times · 14h ago
- Bills QB Josh Allen Edged Out By Patrick Mahomes in Influential NFL Survey Yahoo Sports · 19h ago
Quick answers
Who is the top quarterback in the NFL according to these rankings?
The rankings do not specify a new top quarterback. They only note that Patrick Mahomes is no longer in the top tier.
How many tiers are there in these rankings?
The number of tiers is not specified in the coverage.
What criteria are used to determine the rankings?
The Minnesota Vikings' official site notes that The Athletic's rankings are based on a "seal of approval" from a panel of experts. Other outlets do not specify their criteria.
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