What happened: PFF ranked qualifying quarterbacks with a minimum 75 dropbacks on Sept. 29. Brock Purdy sits second at 89.8 and Dak Prescott is third at 87.0. Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen round out the top six.
Why it matters: The early gap separates Mahomes and Purdy from a tight cluster behind them entering Week 5 of the regular season. Sustained separation at the top frames the early MVP and All-Pro conversation around efficiency rather than volume.
By the numbers: Mahomes 91.4, Purdy 89.8, Prescott 87.0, Jackson 86.8, Burrow 83.2, Allen 83.1 among QBs with 75+ dropbacks.
What to watch: Watch whether Prescott and Jackson close the gap with high-dropback games in Week 5. The minimum-dropback cutoff will also expand the qualifier pool.