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Ranking the AFC West Quarterbacks

By Brendan Danaher

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 celebrates a touchdown with teammate Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 10: Patrick Mahomes #15 celebrates a touchdown with teammate Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium on September 10, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Patrick Mahomes, AFC West
Oct 17, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts leaving the field after the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

AFC West QB no. 1: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

This should be a surprise to no one. The leader, savior, hero (Reaper?), whatever you would like to call him, of the Kansas City Chiefs is here to stay and he has transformed that franchise into the team everyone wants to beat.

Mahomes ranked in the top 5 in 2021 for yards (4,389), touchdowns (37), and threw for 13 interceptions which is not reflective of his play.

If anyone watched the Chiefs last season at least half of those interceptions were off of his own receivers not being careful securing the catch.

Mahomes is a do it all gunslinger who can make the most out of whatever situation he is placed in and has shown us his range by bringing the Chiefs to the postseason every year since he took over from QB Alex Smith in 2018.

Mahomes has brought the Chiefs to the AFC Championship four times, went to the Super Bowl twice, and won his franchise one Lombardi Trophy.

The Super Bowl where the Chiefs fell to the Buccaneers still was an example of Mahomes grit and resiliency where he scrambled for almost 500 yards before getting sacked or throwing the ball.

In 2021 Mahomes again brought his team to the AFC Championship game after a regular season record of 12-5 but after a second-half collapse leading 21-10 they ultimately missed advancing after losing to the Bengals in a 27-24 OT nail biter.

Mahomes is a clutch performer but the second-half drop in efficiency is one that he will remember and hopefully improve on next season.

The Chiefs did lose one of Mahomes’ favorite targets, Tyreek Hill, to the Dolphins in the offseason which is a player they simply cannot replace.

But General Manager Brett Veach has placed enough receiving talent around a superstar like Mahomes (with an improved defense) to succeed in 2022 and it would be a true shock if they did not reach the postseason.

While Herbert is certainly coming after his spot, Patrick Mahomes is the top receiver in the AFC West and easily one of the best in the entire league.

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