The Kansas City Chiefs have kicked off their 2024 season with a flawless 3-0 start, securing impressive victories over the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Atlanta Falcons. As they chase NFL history by aiming for a third straight Super Bowl title, their early success has positioned them as one of the league’s few remaining undefeated teams heading into Week 4.
However, despite this hot start, one prominent NFL analyst has notably left Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes out of his top five quarterbacks this season.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky recently revealed his list of the top five quarterbacks in the league, based solely on their performance so far this season. Surprisingly, Mahomes, often hailed as the league’s best and coming off an MVP-winning season in 2022, didn’t make the cut.
Orlovsky ranked Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen at No. 1, a selection that’s hard to argue with considering Allen’s stellar start. The Bills are also unbeaten, and Allen has quickly become one of the frontrunners for the MVP award. He’s been electric through the first three games, leading his team with big plays and consistency, cementing his spot as one of the league’s most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks.
At No. 2 and No. 3, Orlovsky named Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets and Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Both Rodgers and Darnold are set to face off in an exciting matchup in London next week, a game many are circling due to the high stakes and contrasting styles of these two quarterbacks.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray claimed the fourth spot in Orlovsky’s rankings. Murray, after missing much of last season due to injury, has returned with a vengeance and developed impressive chemistry with rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. His dynamic play has rejuvenated the Cardinals’ offense, making him one of the most exciting players to watch this season.
Rounding out the list at No. 5 is Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. The Seahawks, like the Chiefs, are 3-0, and Smith has been quietly efficient, leading his team to a strong start. Smith’s consistency and leadership have placed Seattle in early playoff contention.
Surprisingly absent from this list is Patrick Mahomes, a quarterback many consider the gold standard in the NFL. To Orlovsky’s credit, Mahomes hasn’t quite hit his usual stride in the first three games of the season.
While the Chiefs remain undefeated, Mahomes has struggled with some inconsistency, throwing at least one interception in each of the three games. He also hasn’t thrown for three touchdowns in a game yet this season—something he did seven times during his MVP run in 2022.
The most glaring example of Mahomes’ early-season challenges came in the game against the Bengals, where he threw two interceptions. While he has still managed to guide his team to victories, his individual performances have not been as dominant as many have come to expect.
Nevertheless, Mahomes will have a prime opportunity to reassert himself among the league’s elite this Sunday as the Chiefs take on the Los Angeles Chargers in their AFC West opener.
The Chargers are a familiar foe for Mahomes, and he has historically thrived in division matchups. Mahomes boasts an impressive 30-5 career record against AFC West opponents, including an 8-2 mark against the Chargers. In fact, the Chiefs have won their last four meetings against Los Angeles, and Mahomes has often saved some of his best performances for these key division showdowns.
A standout performance against the Chargers could quiet some of the early-season doubts surrounding Mahomes and potentially change Orlovsky’s assessment.
Though it’s unusual for Mahomes to be left out of any top quarterback conversation, the season is still young, and he has plenty of time to make his mark.
