Patrick Mahomes’ place atop FOX Sports’ Nick Wright’s NFL quarterback power rankings has been so consistent the segment adopted his name.Â
And, in Wright’s opinion, Mahomes continues to be the king of the mountain as the 2026 NFL season approaches.Â
FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard, however, felt otherwise. Other questions consist of, can Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford repeat his MVP form? How far has Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson fallen? Who will continue to ascend toward the summit?
Mahomes is on the peak for now, but will Mahomes Mountain retain its rightful leader, or will another quarterback claim the top spot?Â
In Wright’s first edition of “Mahomes Mountain” this season, he’s confident there are “18 or 19 teams that feel pretty good about their quarterback situation.” The bottom rung aren’t part of that group.Â
“Either young, unproven players or guys you don’t feel comfortable being your starting quarterback,” Wright said.Â
While both quarterbacks competing for the Atlanta Falcons’ starting job made the list, only one half of the Cleveland Browns’ competition was included. No DeShaun Watson.Â
“I don’t think it’s a real competition,” Wright said. “If DeShaun Watson’s the starting quarterback, I think it’s because the owner made him do it⦠It’s pretty clear who [Todd Monken] likes more, it’s pretty clear who has more upside â even though I’m not a Shedeur [Sanders] guy â it’s pretty clear what the best thing for the Browns is.”
The seventh row consists of a group with the potential to make their teams feel good about the quarterback position, but also the chance to destroy their season with poor quarterback play.Â
That list includes: Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers.
“[Cam] Ward, [Tyler] Shough and [Jaxson] Dartâ¦They’re too young to have proven anything,” Wright said.Â
Ward will get boosted with the addition of Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate at hideout, while Dart will get the experience of John Harbaugh in his ear. Shough will get a full season under his belt with the addition of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.Â
Wright, however, isn’t as optimistic about whom the Minnesota Vikings named their starting quarterback on Tuesday.
“I’m not a Kyler Murray guy, you guys will see how this year goes,” Wright said.
Wright left two vacant spots on the sixth row, “because this is the line of demarcation on if you’re set at quarterback, believe you’re set at quarterback, or have a potential problem.” He believes these quarterbacks have proven themselves, but aren’t solidified as reliable week-in and week-out starters.Â
Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud
“Stroud is borderline, but the three playoff winsâ¦the playoffs every year and the great rookie season,” Wright said. “I’m not putting him down in the other group.”
Wright’s fifth row is the definition of solid. The quarterbacks Wright listed know who they are, and their teams are confident in what they have. Still, they lack the superhero traits possessed by the quarterbacks Wright ranks above them.Â
Each of these quarterbacks, according to Wright, are “clearly top-10 quarterbacks.”
Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott have supported their teams even as the defenses have struggled. Trevor Lawrence and Sam Darnold led their teams to success after being doubted in most of their careers, with Darnold taking the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory last season.
“Three guys that either are already superheroes⦠and two guys with superhero talent.”
Jackson dropped to 14th among quarterbacks in ESPN’s top 100, but Wright believes he’s securely in the top 10.
“I have some pretty well established concerns about Lamar [Jackson] in the playoffs, and concerns about Lamar not being a consistent rushing threat, but the idea that he’s not still a top 10 quarterback in the league is total absurdity.”
“And then yo
