Bill Simmons Shakes Up NFL Rankings, Strips Patrick Mahomes of Top Spot on Pyramid

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the conversation surrounding Patrick Mahomes is intensifying. While he remains a leading figure among quarterbacks, recent assessments by analysts Chris Simms and Bill Simmons have raised eyebrows and sparked debate within the football community.

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Contrasting Perspectives

On one side, the Associated Press and ESPN have recognized Mahomes’ exceptional performance, with ESPN noting that he leads the NFL in virtually every passing category since becoming the starter in 2018. The network highlighted that Mahomes was the most efficient quarterback on third downs last season. However, Chris Simms, a former quarterback turned analyst, expressed a different view during his podcast segment, “2025 Simms QB Countdown: The Core Four.” He ranked Mahomes as the fourth-best quarterback in the league, stating, “Yes, the man, the myth, the legend… maybe the clutchest quarterback… has not been as high level the past two seasons as Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Josh Allen.”

Simms acknowledged Mahomes’ mastery of winning but argued that this does not equate to consistently high-quality play over the past two years.

Bill Simmons’ Take on the Rankings

Bill Simmons also weighed in on the quarterback rankings during a discussion with The Athletic ’s Sheil Kapadia . He revealed that he did not place Mahomes at the top of his pyramid, instead declaring Josh Allen as the best quarterback in the league. Simmons praised Allen for his durability and ability to perform under pressure, stating, “He can make chicken salad out of chicken s—.”

Mahomes’ Recent Performance

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Mahomes’ statistics have seen a downward trend in recent seasons. After throwing for 5,250 yards in 2022, he recorded 4,183 yards in 2023 and dropped to 3,928 yards last season—his first year as a starter under 4,000 yards. Additionally, he faced a career-high 36 sacks last season. In contrast, while Allen’s numbers also dipped, he managed to secure the MVP title after a season where he recorded at least 25 touchdown passes , 10 rushing touchdowns , and fewer than 10 interceptions .

Simmons confidently stated, “If you switch them last season, the Chiefs would have been better with that version of Allen than what they had with Mahomes.” However, Kapadia countered this argument, emphasizing Mahomes’ playoff success against Allen, stating, “Patrick Mahomes has been to five Super Bowls, won three, and has beaten Josh Allen in the playoffs every time they’ve faced off.”

The Challenge Issued

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In response to the ongoing debate, Simmons issued a challenge to Mahomes: “Prove to me I’m a s—-ead. Go take your belt back. You dropped the belt in that Super Bowl game and just in general. I didn’t love the season start to finish. And I think Josh is a safer bet. So, prove to me I’m wrong.”

This challenge sets the stage for an intriguing season ahead, as Mahomes must demonstrate his ability to reclaim his status as the top quarterback in the league. With his track record and talent, the question remains: Can he rise to the occasion and silence his critics?

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Mahomes to see if he can prove his doubters wrong and reassert his dominance in the NFL.