Wright’s Mahomes Mountain: NFL Quarterback Rankings Spark Debate Ahead of 2026 Season
The 'Mahomes Mountain' segment outlines a tiered assessment of NFL quarterbacks, highlighting confidence in 18 or 19 teams while excluding DeShaun Watson from the Cleveland Browns’ competition.
Nick Wright, an analyst on the Fox Sports program First Things First, has released the inaugural edition of his "Mahomes Mountain" NFL quarterback power rankings ahead of the 2026 season. The segment, named for the consistent dominance of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, places him at the summit. Wright noted that Mahomes’ position at the top has been so steady that the feature adopted his name, yet he acknowledged the ongoing question of whether another quarterback might eventually claim the peak.
While Wright maintains Mahomes as the king of the league, fellow Fox Sports analyst Chris Broussard disagreed with the assessment. The rankings also prompted broader discussions about the league’s elite, questioning whether Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford can replicate his MVP form and how far Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has fallen from his previous standing.
Wright expressed confidence in the stability of the league’s top tier, estimating that "18 or 19 teams feel pretty good about their quarterback situation." He explicitly excluded the bottom rung of teams from this group, suggesting a clear divide between franchises with settled leadership and those facing uncertainty. This demarcation was further illustrated by two vacant spots on the sixth row, which Wright described as the line between teams that believe they are set and those with potential problems.
The seventh row features quarterbacks with the potential to elevate their teams or destroy their seasons through poor performance. This group includes Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, and Aaron Rodgers. Wright cautioned that Ward, Shough, and Dart are too young to have proven themselves, though he noted supporting additions for each, such as Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate for Ward, and rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson for Shough.
Regarding the Cleveland Browns, Wright excluded DeShaun Watson from the rankings entirely, stating that the starting job is not a genuine competition. He suggested that if Watson starts, it would be due to ownership pressure rather than merit, asserting that head coach Todd Monken prefers Shedeur Sanders due to higher upside. Wright admitted he is not a fan of Sanders personally but maintained that Sanders represents the best option for the franchise.
The sixth row, serving as the threshold for reliability, includes Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy, and C.J. Stroud. Wright described this group as having proven themselves but not yet solidified as week-in, week-out starters. He specifically highlighted Stroud’s playoff wins and consistent postseason appearances as reasons to keep him above the lower tiers, despite acknowledging he is borderline.
Conversely, the fifth row is defined by Wright as "solid," comprising quarterbacks who know who they are and whose teams are confident in their abilities. This tier represents the most stable group in the rankings, contrasting with the volatility of the rows below. The complete breakdown offers a structured view of the league’s quarterback landscape as teams prepare for the upcoming season.
