The Kansas City Chiefs are off to a strong start in the 2024 NFL season, boasting a 3-0 record after a close 22-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons.
However, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes has expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance, raising concerns among fans and analysts.
"I feel like I haven't played very well, and that's not a stats thing," Mahomes admitted after the game.
His self-assessment is supported by his current statistics, as he is on track for career lows in passing yards and career highs in interceptions.
As he heads into Week 4, Mahomes finds himself in an uncharacteristic 18th place in ESPN's QBR (quarterback rating), trailing behind less prominent names like Jacoby Brissett and Daniel Jones.
Throughout his career, Mahomes has been a top-tier performer, consistently finishing in the top five for QBR since taking over as the Chiefs' starting quarterback. Last season marked a dip to eighth, but his current ranking highlights a significant decline as he searches for his rhythm.
This contrasts sharply with the strong performances of quarterbacks such as Malik Willis and Derek Carr, who currently lead the QBR rankings.
ESPN's QBR measures a quarterback's overall impact on winning, taking into account factors like passing, rushing, turnovers, and penalties. The rating is calculated on a scale of 0 to 100, providing a comprehensive look at a quarterback's efficiency while also factoring in the quality of opposing defenses faced.
Mahomes not amongst the top performers
Here's how the top quarterbacks rank in QBR ahead of Week 4:
- Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers (89.3)
- Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers (86.4)
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (84.6)
- Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (80.4)
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (74.2)
In stark contrast, Mahomes currently holds a QBR of 51.2, placing him among other struggling quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson and Kirk Cousins.
Despite the Chiefs' overall success, Mahomes understands the need for improvement.
"The quarterback play has to become way better. I'm being a hard critic on myself," Mahomes concluded.
As the season unfolds, fans will be keenly watching to see if he can elevate his game and reclaim his status as one of the league's elite quarterbacks.
