Patrick Mahomes looks like himself again, and that’s a problem for the rest of the NFL - just not enough of one to put him back at No. 1.
The Kansas City Chiefs are unbeaten entering Week 4, and Mahomes is a big reason why. After working his way back from an ACL and LCL injury, he’s not just showing signs of recovery. He’s playing at a level that makes it feel like the old Mahomes is fully back, maybe even sharper.
Still, when CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell updated his quarterback rankings after Week 3, Mahomes didn’t reclaim the top spot. Podell opened by noting, "These rankings are fluid and designed to tell the story of each starting quarterback's respective rise and/or fall throughout the season."
And while Mahomes got plenty of praise, Brock Purdy’s start for the San Francisco 49ers was just a little too strong to ignore.
"THE Patrick Mahomes might be back. He has the Chiefs out to a 3-0 start, and once again, no one is better than him when throwing outside the pocket," Podell wrote.
The numbers back that up. Mahomes leads the NFL with 26 completions outside the pocket and four passing touchdowns outside the pocket this season. He’s also sitting inside the top 10 in nearly "every key passing metric."
But Purdy has the edge for now. As Podell put it, "Mahomes would be back in the top spot if not for a historic start to 2026 by Purdy."
So Mahomes is back, and he’s playing like a quarterback at the top of his game. He just happens to be running into another quarterback who’s making an even louder early-season case.
In Other News...
Tom Bradys Latest Rankings Set Up A Chiefs Debate
Tom Bradys latest NFL power rankings for FOX Sports after Week 3 stirred the usual debate, and for Kansas City, the conversation is less about who sits at the top than who is being watched closely. Brady bumped the 49ers to No. 1 after their unbeaten start, dropped the Seahawks to No. 6 after their first loss, and also praised Brock Purdy while sliding the Raiders into the top five because of their undefeated record.
For Chiefs fans, the bigger question is where Kansas City fits in that pecking order and what Bradys eye test says about the teams chasing it. Any ranking this early invites argument, especially when unbeaten teams are rewarded and a contender like Seattle can fall quickly after one slip, which is exactly the kind of setup that keeps a weekly debate alive around the league. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Fans Are Turning Another Raiders Home Game Into A Road Test
The buildup to Sundays Chiefs-Raiders matchup at Allegiant Stadium has already turned into another familiar discussion point for Las Vegas: who will actually make up the crowd. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak and defensive end Maxx Crosby both had to address the issue this week, a sign that the noise around the stands may be nearly as loud as the one on the field.
Raiders fans have taken to social media to vent about the possibility of Kansas City supporters overwhelming the building again, and they have been urging other Las Vegas fans to show up and help create some kind of home-field edge. For the Raiders, it is another reminder that making Allegiant feel like their place has been a problem, and for the Chiefs it is simply part of what comes with a road trip that often looks and sounds a little too familiar. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Linked To WR Move That Could Change Their Ceiling
The Chiefs wide receiver room has been a source of discussion as they continue looking for more firepower to complement the rest of the offense, and that has pushed them into the conversation around Brian Thomas Jr. According to ESPNs Dan Graziano, Kansas City is one of several teams viewed as a potential trade suitor for the Jacksonville Jaguars wideout, a sign that the market for impact pass catchers could get busy.
San Francisco and Las Vegas are also said to be in the mix, which only adds to the intrigue for Kansas City if the Jaguars decide to listen. Jacksonville has enough other receivers to potentially make such a move possible, and for the Chiefs, the appeal is obvious: adding a player like Thomas could alter the ceiling of an offense that still has room to grow. [Read more 🡒]