Patrick Mahomes remains the top quarterback in the NFL as he was once again voted number one in a pre-season ranking conducted by The Associated Press ahead of the 2025 season. Despite more formidable challengers stepping into the spotlight, Mahomes secured the top spot in the poll of leading football experts.
The three-time Super Bowl MVP led a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who assessed the five best quarterbacks based on their current form entering the upcoming season. Voters assigned points to their ranked quarterbacks with first-place votes carrying the most weight at ten points each, followed by points assigned for second to fifth-place votes.
Mahomes Leads Vote with Strong Support Amid Tight Competition
Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, earned five first-place votes in the poll. His closest competitor was reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, who received two first-place votes and finished second overall. Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals star, captured the final first-place vote and placed third in the rankings.
Further down the list, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson took fourth place, while Jalen Hurts, fresh off a dominant Super Bowl performance against Mahomes’ Chiefs, was ranked fifth. Emerging talents Jayden Daniels and C.J. Stroud also received votes from the panel.
Detailed Rankings of Top Five NFL Quarterbacks for 2025 Season
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Even though Mahomes posted a career-low 3,928 passing yards and matched his fewest touchdown passes with 26 last season, he was instrumental in leading the Chiefs to their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance and fifth overall in his seven years as starting quarterback. Turning 30 this September, Mahomes is positioned to become only the fourth quarterback in history to win four Super Bowl titles. Alongside his five first-place votes, he garnered two second-place votes and one fourth-place vote.
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Allen guided the Buffalo Bills to their fifth straight AFC East title and narrowly won the MVP over Lamar Jackson last season. However, the Bills fell to Mahomes’ Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. Allen completed 3,731 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions, achieved a 101.4 passer rating, and rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him the first player in NFL history to tally at least 40 total touchdowns in five consecutive seasons. He received three second-place votes, one third-place, and two fourth-place votes in the poll.
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Burrow reached new career highs across nearly all passing categories with 4,918 yards, 43 touchdown passes, and a 108.5 quarterback rating. He earned the AP Comeback Player of the Year for the second time but could not help the Bengals overcome a slow start, missing the playoffs with a 9-8 record. Burrow earned one second-place vote, two third-place votes, and three fourth-place votes.
4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson completed his third All-Pro season with career-best performance, throwing for 4,172 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just four interceptions while leading the NFL with a 119.6 passer rating. He also contributed 915 rushing yards and four scores, underscoring his exceptional dual-threat ability. However, the Ravens were eliminated by the Bills in the divisional playoffs. Jackson received one second-place vote, four thirds, two fourths, and one fifth-place vote.
5. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite leading the Eagles to their second NFC championship in three years and earning Super Bowl MVP honors, Hurts appeared on only half of the ballots, appearing on four out of eight. Last season, he completed 2,903 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and only five interceptions, while rushing for 630 yards and 14 touchdowns. Hurts set a record by scoring seven total touchdowns across his first two Super Bowls, the most ever by a quarterback. His votes included one second-place, one third-place, and two fifth-place votes.
What the Next NFL Season Could Mean for These Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes’ continued dominance, reflected in this AP vote, highlights his ability to maintain elite performance despite rising competition. With his Chiefs aiming for a historic fourth Super Bowl win, the 2025 season carries high expectations. Meanwhile, the close challenge from players like Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson suggests that the quarterback landscape remains fiercely competitive, promising an intense battle for supremacy.
As the season unfolds, the performances of these top quarterbacks will determine who firmly holds the title of Patrick Mahomes NFL top quarterback and who might challenge his reign in the years to come.