The 2025 NFL season didn’t end the way the Kansas City Chiefs expected, with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles handing them a brutal loss in Super Bowl LIX. Still, Patrick Mahomes continues to draw plenty of respect around the league.
The 29-year-old, in fact, was recently ranked above Hurts regardless of the lopsided Super Bowl result. Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Chris Simms believes that only three signal-callers have played at a higher level than Mahomes recently, and Hurts isn’t one of them.
With Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season still months away from us, the NBC Sports analyst seized the opportunity to do his annual ranking of active quarterbacks. This year, he placed Mahomes in fourth place, only behind Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, Buffalo Bills and reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow.
“[He’s] the man, the myth [and] the legend,” Simms said on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, via Arrowhead Pride. “[He’s] one of the greatest I’ve ever seen — and maybe the clutchiest quarterback in football.
Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles talks with Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs after their game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023.
“Still, the quarterback play week-in and week-out — and I don’t think he would disagree with me here — has not been as high level the past two seasons as [it has for been for] Burrow, Lamar or Josh Allen.”
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Mahomes and Hurts separated by multiple QBs in Simms’ ranking
Simms provided arguments to keep Mahomes high on the list but still below other active quarterbacks. However, his position for Hurts has raised many eyebrows, especially since he heaped praise on the Eagles QB.
“Really kind of an incredible year when you really think about it,” Simms said of Hurts. “The ultimate leader, that’s the first thing I’ll say. He’s tough, he’s the same guy all the time. He can handle the Philadelphia criticism good or bad and seems to take it all in stride. He brings a skillset to [the Eagles’] offense that makes them almost indefensible with all the talent they have. What he brings to the table puts it over the top to where you’re just like, ‘Oh my God, what do we defend?’”
Hurts had a fantastic season in Philadelphia, winning Super Bowl LIX MVP for his solid performance in the 40-22 win over the Chiefs in New Orleans. Still, Simms ranked him 10th, placing him below the likes of Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford, C.J. Stroud, Justin Herbert, and Baker Mayfield.
Lamar Jackson still ranked way above Mahomes, Hurts by Simms
Needless to say, his ranking sounds disrespectful for a Super Bowl MVP. Either way, Simms believes that Lamar Jackson is in a league of his own right now, admitting that he sometimes regrets voting Allen for MVP.
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“Nobody’s playing quarterback right now better than Lamar Jackson,” Simms said. “He’s conquered something that I’ve only seen a few people conquer in my whole life with his skillset. Arguably the greatest running quarterback in the history of the game, he has become unreal in the pocket [with] making decisions throwing the football.”
