In an article published by ESPN NFL senior writer Jeremy Fowler on July 15, league executives, coaches, and scouts identified Patrick Mahomes as the best quarterback heading into the 2024 season. The results were based on the top ten votes submitted and research conducted by ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.
Since becoming the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback, Mahomes has never ranked lower than second in this ESPN poll. Likewise, it’s hard to complain about him being the top choice after leading the Chiefs to their second consecutive Super Bowl title and third in the last five seasons.
Patrick Mahomes didn’t have the best regular season. In addition to throwing the most interceptions in his career (14), his 4,183 passing yards and 27 touchdowns are second lowest since taking over in 2018. As always, he shined during the playoffs, throwing for 1,051 yards, six touchdowns, and an interception.
True to his nature, games are not over with Mahomes behind center. His three Super Bowl victories, including the latest against the San Francisco 49ers, are all come-from-behind victories.
More importantly, the Chiefs have an opportunity to become the first NFL team to win three consecutive Super Bowl titles. In doing so, Mahomes will rest his case as a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and another first-place finish in the ESPN poll.
Meanwhile, here are the top ten quarterbacks based on ESPN’s poll of NFL executives, scouts, and coaches:
- 1. Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
- 2. Joe Burrow – Cincinnati Bengals
- 3. Josh Allen – Buffalo Bills
- 4. Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
- 5. Matthew Stafford – Los Angeles Rams
- 6. Justin Herbert – Los Angeles Chargers
- 7. C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
- 8. Aaron Rodgers – New York Jets
- 9. Jared Goff – Detroit Lions
- 10. Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, and Trevor Lawrence also received votes but fell short of the top ten.
-Lance Fernandez