Nick Wright's Week 1 QB Rankings: Mahomes Tops, Four Signal-Callers Excluded
Nick Wright's weekly quarterback power rankings, known as Mahomes Mountain, return for Week 1 with Patrick Mahomes holding the top spot. Four quarterbacks—Geno Smith, Tua Tagovailoa, Jacoby Brissett, and Deshaun Watson—were left off the mountain entirely. The rankings include 28 signal-callers, with young players like Cam Ward and Tyler Shough placed in the 'Fans Believe' tier.
The weekly segment, known as Mahomes Mountain, has reduced its roster from 32 to 28 quarterbacks for the opening week. Patrick Mahomes holds the peak position as he prepares to play Denver, marking his return from a major knee injury suffered nine months earlier.
Wright's hierarchy includes a "Fans Believe" tier for unproven talents like Cam Ward and Tyler Shough, and a "Polarizing Players" row featuring Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels. A separate "Teams Are Content" group contains Jalen Hurts and Jared Goff, whom Wright describes as solid but not elite starters.
This weekly ranking could shape fan expectations and media narratives throughout the season. Excluded quarterbacks like Tua Tagovailoa and Deshaun Watson may face increased public pressure, potentially impacting locker room dynamics or fan support. Conversely, elevated placements for unproven players like Cam Ward could create premature hype that affects their development. The emphasis on Mahomes' return may also influence how viewers perceive his recovery, though actual game performance will ultimately determine the accuracy of these projections.