The NFL’s Most Shocking List Yet
Every summer, NFL fans brace for outrage when the annual NFL Top 100 Players list drops.

And this year, the drama reached a fever pitch.

Patrick Mahomes—two-time MVP, three-time Super Bowl champion, and widely considered the most talented quarterback of his generation—was ranked only No.

5.

Not first.

Not even top three.

Fifth.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the NFL universe, igniting debates across sports talk shows, social media, and barbershops.

Is this ranking fair acknowledgment of competition, or a gross insult to the league’s most electrifying superstar?

Mahomes’ Resume Speaks for Itself
Let’s be clear: Mahomes’ accomplishments already rival all-time legends.

At just 29, he has multiple Super Bowls, MVPs, and highlight reels that will be replayed for decades.

He’s the face of the NFL, its most marketable star, and the quarterback every team fears.

The fact that he’s ranked behind four other players feels less like evaluation and more like provocation.

How do you look at his resume and put him fifth? Fans want answers.

Who Ranked Ahead of Him?
The controversy only grew when the names above Mahomes were revealed.

A dominant pass rusher, a record-setting wide receiver, and a pair of quarterbacks who had impressive seasons—but none with Mahomes’ rings or résumé.

While all are elite talents, critics argue that none have reshaped the game like Mahomes.

“If you asked every GM in the league who they’d start a franchise with, 31 out of 32 would say Mahomes,” one analyst said.

“And yet, he’s No.

5? Make it make sense.

”

The Case for Fairness
To be fair, the NFL Top 100 list is voted on by players themselves.

Some argue that this peer perspective gives it credibility.

Perhaps Mahomes’ peers recognize flaws the public overlooks—occasional turnovers, stretches of inconsistency, or reliance on a strong supporting cast.

Others suggest the ranking reflects respect for defensive dominance, rewarding those who battle in the trenches rather than only quarterbacks.

From this view, No.

5 isn’t an insult.

It’s balance.

The Case for Disrespect
But Mahomes’ defenders aren’t buying it.

They point to his uncanny ability to turn broken plays into magic, his clutch comebacks, and his unrivaled improvisational brilliance.

“We’re talking about the guy who won a Super Bowl throwing sidearm lasers while falling sideways,” one fan tweeted.

“And you put him at No.

5? That’s a joke.

” Many see the ranking as a classic case of overthinking, a deliberate attempt to create controversy and keep the NFL’s content cycle alive.

Fans React: Outrage and Memes
NFL Twitter was predictably chaotic after the rankings dropped.

Chiefs Kingdom erupted with fury, while rival fanbases rejoiced at the chance to mock Mahomes’ “fall” in the rankings.

Memes flooded timelines: Mahomes’ face photoshopped on Michael Jordan’s “And I took that personally” meme, clips of his no-look passes captioned “Still only No.

5,” and endless debates about whether the list has lost credibility entirely.

For fans, the drama is almost as entertaining as the games themselves.

Media Pounces on the Story
Sports talk shows devoted entire segments to the controversy.

“Is Mahomes being disrespected?” screamed the headlines.

Pundits split down the middle—some argued the ranking proves the NFL values more than stats and star power, others insisted it’s proof that even Mahomes isn’t immune to jealousy from his peers.

One host joked, “You know you’re great when being ranked fifth is treated like a national crisis.”

Mahomes Responds With Class
As always, Patrick Mahomes himself handled the drama with grace.

Asked about the ranking, he shrugged it off.

“Lists don’t win games.

I’ll let my play do the talking,” he said.

It was the kind of calm, measured response that reinforces why he’s the face of the league.

Still, those who know Mahomes well say he’ll use the slight as fuel.

And history suggests that when Mahomes feels doubted, the NFL pays the price.

The Psychology of Ranking the Best
At its core, the debate exposes the difficulty of ranking greatness.

How do you compare a quarterback to a pass rusher, a wide receiver to a linebacker? The roles are too different, the impact too varied.

Yet every year, the NFL insists on creating this master list—and every year, controversy follows.

Mahomes’ No.

5 ranking may not reflect his true value, but it reflects the impossible task of quantifying greatness in a team sport.

Chiefs Kingdom Sees a Conspiracy
Among diehard Chiefs fans, the ranking has sparked conspiracies.

Some believe the NFL deliberately “knocks Mahomes down” to stoke drama and keep fans engaged.

Others argue jealousy from rival players drives down his votes.

“They’re tired of seeing him win everything,” one fan wrote.

“So they knock him down the list.

It’s hate, plain and simple.

” Whether true or not, the perception of disrespect has only deepened Mahomes’ mythos as the quarterback everyone loves to doubt.

What It Means for the Season Ahead
Ultimately, lists are just lists.

But athletes are wired to take slights personally.

If history is any indication, Mahomes will use this as motivation.

“You think I’m No.

5? Watch me play like No.

1 all season,” he seems to be saying without saying.

For the Chiefs’ rivals, that should be terrifying.

For fans, it promises another year of highlight reels, comebacks, and plays that make “inhuman” feel like an understatement.

Conclusion: Too Low, Too Soon, Too Predictable
Patrick Mahomes ranked No.

5 in the NFL Top 100 of 2025 isn’t just a number.

It’s a spark, igniting debates about fairness, respect, and greatness.

Is it fair? Maybe.

Is it too low? Almost certainly.

But above all, it’s proof that Mahomes isn’t just a player—he’s a cultural phenomenon whose every ranking, every accolade, and every perceived slight becomes a national conversation.

Fifth or first, one thing is certain: the NFL still runs through Patrick Mahomes, whether the list admits it or not.