What happened: ESPN's Bill Barnwell published trade value tiers for 2026, ranking players by how many first-round picks they would command in a hypothetical trade. Mahomes and Allen sit in the top tier at seven firsts apiece, with Maye one tier back at six.

Why it matters: The rankings reflect how front offices weigh young, team-controlled quarterbacks against established stars heading into the 2026 league year, with Herbert's four-first valuation underscoring the Chargers' long-term bet on his extension.

What to watch: Watch for reaction as more of Barnwell's tiers circulate across team fan bases and shape trade-value framing heading into camp.