Patrick Mahomes voted NFL's top quarterback by AP writers

Patrick Mahomes has been ranked as the NFL's top quarterback in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. This marks the third consecutive year he has held the top spot, though he faced increased competition compared to his unanimous selections in 2023 and 2024.

A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five quarterbacks based on their current status entering the 2025 season, using a points system: 10 points for first place, 5 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for fifth. Mahomes received five first-place votes. Reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen finished second with two first-place votes, and Joe Burrow placed third with the remaining first-place vote. Lamar Jackson finished fourth, and Jalen Hurts, who outperformed Mahomes in Philadelphia's Super Bowl victory over Kansas City, was fifth. Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud also received votes.

Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and three-time Super Bowl MVP, led his team to their third straight Super Bowl appearance and fifth in his seven starting seasons despite posting a career-low 3,928 passing yards and tying his fewest touchdown passes (26). Turning 30 in September, he has a chance to become only the fourth quarterback to win four Super Bowls. He received two second-place votes and one fourth-place vote in the poll.

Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen led his team to a fifth straight AFC East title and edged Jackson for the MVP award last season. However, he and the Bills were again eliminated from the playoffs by Mahomes and the Chiefs in the AFC title game. Allen threw for 3,731 yards, 28 touchdowns, and had 6 interceptions (101.4 passer rating), while also running for 531 yards and 12 scores, becoming the first NFL player with five consecutive seasons of at least 40 total touchdowns. He received three second-place votes, one third-place vote, and two fourth-place votes.

Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow set career highs last season in nearly every passing category, including yards (4,918), touchdowns (43), and QB rating (108.5), earning his second AP Comeback Player of the Year award. Despite this, the Bengals missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record.