Power ranking the quarterbacks in the AFC West
The start of training camp is just days away for some NFL teams, and a few weeks for others, meaning the return of meaningful football games is right around the corner.
It’s been a pretty eventful offseason — one in which we’ve previewed training camp dates and storylines to watch, examined the top position battles to watch, and named which rookie has the best chance of winning a starting job for all 32 teams.
Next up in our offseason series is power ranking every starting quarterback in each of the NFL’s eight divisions. Next up is the AFC West.
I know, this is already controversial. But hear me out.
Patrick Mahomes was the gold standard among which all QBs were judged — up until about here years ago. His production dropped off considerably from 2022 to 2023 (he had 1,067 fewer passing yards, 14 fewer passing touchdowns, and two more interceptions), and he’s seemingly been on the decline ever since.
Herbert, on the other hand, has been the more consistent passer over the last three years, he’s turned the ball over much less (23 interceptions to Mahomes’ 36), and he’s had a less talented supporting cast to work with.
If I had to win one game right now, and my choices were Herbert or Mahomes under center, I’m taking Herbert.
Just because I’m putting Mahomes in the No. 2 spot doesn’t mean he’s not still in the elite tier of passers.
Yes, he’s coming off an ACL tear and we still don’t know when he’s actually going to be back on the field. Yes, his wide receiver corps is a mess outside of Xavier Worthy. And yes, no one knows what to expect from tight end Travis Kelce, who’s clearly on a decline himself.
But Mahomes has this uncanny ability to make plays out of nothing, and he just knows to how to win. If Kansas City gives him some more help (the team has been linked to free-agent WRs Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel), Mahomes could return to playing like an MVP — and no one would be surprised.
Nix has had two really good seasons to start his career, and it’s possible 2026 will be his best yet.
Denver has a strong 1-2 punch at running back in J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, both of whom are weapons catching the ball out of the backfield too. The team also added another elite weapon in wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to pair with Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin.
With Sean Payton calling the shots, the Broncos offense should be even more explosive next year, and Nix could have his first 4,000-yard, 30-touchdown season.
It’s been reported the Raiders’ plan is for Cousins to start the entire 2026 season for them while keeping No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on the bench. That’s not a bad plan, provided Cousins can stay healthy and avoid stinking up Allegiant Stadium.
Once a Pro Bowl passer good for an easy 4,000-yard season, Cousins has had a rough go of things ever since signing a $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons two years ago.
During his stint with the Falcons, Cousins threw for 5,229 yards, 28 touchdowns, 21 interceptions, and a pedestrian 86.8 passer rating with a 12-10 record as the starter. While not terrible numbers, they’re not exactly impressive either. But given where the Raiders are in their rebuild, Cousins is likely serviceable enough to be a bridge until Mendoza is ready.
