What happened: The placement follows a statistically down campaign for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs that ended with an ACL tear. In a separate ESPN survey of executives, coaches, and scouts entering the 2026 offseason, the quarterback also fell from the number one ranking for the first time in nearly four years despite collecting the most first-place ballots.

Why it matters: Pre-injury performance scrutiny has intensified heading into training camp as evaluators weigh how the knee recovery will impact his mobility. Kansas City must navigate ongoing quarterback readiness questions ahead of the regular-season opener while carrying his $64 million salary.

What to watch: Training camp evaluations will center on whether the quarterback receives medical clearance for full team drills before August. Kansas City's coaching staff faces roster decisions regarding backup depth if the starter is ruled out for Week 1.