The Shocking Truth: Chris Simms’ Controversial 2025 QB Rankings That Put Lamar Jackson Over Mahomes

The annual release of Chris Simms’ quarterback rankings is a guaranteed lightning rod for debate, and his list for the 2025 NFL season is no exception. As of today, December 17, 2025, the former NFL quarterback and current *Pro Football Talk* analyst has once again thrown the conventional wisdom out the window, making a series of bold and, for many fans, infuriating choices that demand a closer look.

The biggest headline of the 2025 Simms QB Countdown is the dramatic dethroning of the league's consensus best player. For the first time in years, Patrick Mahomes does not sit atop the list, instead giving way to a dynamic AFC rival. These rankings, which Simms meticulously compiles based on his own film study and criteria—often prioritizing traits like arm strength, pocket presence, and decision-making over pure team success—provide a fresh, albeit highly contested, perspective on the league's most vital position.

Chris Simms’ Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks Heading into the 2025 Season

Chris Simms' methodology for his annual quarterback countdown, featured prominently on his podcast *Chris Simms Unbuttoned*, is rooted in a deep, independent film analysis. He often disregards narrative and past accolades to focus purely on the quarterback's current physical tools and execution. This approach leads to the kind of rankings that spark endless conversation across the NFL landscape, particularly in 2025 with the placement of some perennial superstars.

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The major takeaway from the 2025 list is the shake-up at the very top. Simms has consistently argued that his rankings reflect who he would choose to lead a team *right now*, and his top three selections for the 2025 regular season reflect a clear preference for elite dual-threat capabilities and high-level play in the pocket.

• No. 1: Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens). Simms places the Ravens' star at the top, a controversial but defensible choice given Jackson’s continued evolution as a passer and his unparalleled ability to change the geometry of a defense with his legs. Jackson’s MVP-caliber play and unique skill set clearly resonated most with Simms' evaluation criteria for the new season.
• No. 2: Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills). The Bills' signal-caller lands just behind Jackson. Allen’s incredible arm talent, toughness, and ability to carry an offense single-handedly keep him firmly in the elite tier, a testament to his high-risk, high-reward style of play.
• No. 3: [Unspecified]. While the full list is extensive, Simms’ top three often includes a combination of the league's most physically gifted players.
• No. 4: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs). This is arguably the most shocking ranking. Simms’ decision to place the reigning Super Bowl champion and perennial MVP candidate at No. 4 has led to a firestorm of criticism. He explained to Mike Florio on *PFT Live* that his process focuses on specific technical aspects that he felt were slightly less refined than the players above him, often sparking debate about whether Simms over-analyzes the minutiae of the position.

The "Pocket Rocket" Tier and Other Notable Placements

Simms often uses descriptive tiers to group quarterbacks with similar traits. For the 2025 countdown, one of the notable tiers he introduced was the "Pocket Rocket" tier, which highlights quarterbacks with exceptional pocket presence, toughness, and the ability to deliver the ball accurately under duress.

Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers was ranked No. 8 overall and fell squarely into this "Pocket Rocket" category. Simms praises Herbert for his elite arm strength and remarkable ability to maintain composure and deliver powerful throws even when the pocket is collapsing around him. Other quarterbacks who consistently feature in Simms' top 10 include Joe Burrow, whose surgical accuracy is highly valued, and Jalen Hurts, whose dual-threat capability is an undeniable factor.

The inclusion of quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa, and C.J. Stroud in the broader top 40 list further solidifies the topical authority of these rankings. Simms’ analysis goes beyond surface-level stats, diving into the nuances of footwork, anticipation, and release point—aspects that few other analysts scrutinize with such intensity.

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2025 NFL Draft QB Rankings: Simms’ Top College Prospects

Beyond the current NFL stars, Chris Simms also released his initial, highly anticipated rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class. Simms has a history of identifying talent that others overlook, often ranking prospects differently than the consensus mock drafts. His 2025 list is no different, featuring a surprising No. 1 pick and a clear tier separation among the top college signal-callers.

Simms’ draft rankings are particularly influential because of his willingness to go against the grain, famously being high on players who panned out and, occasionally, missing on others. This year's top three for the 2025 NFL Draft are:

• No. 1: Cam Ward (Miami). Simms’ top-ranked quarterback for the 2025 Draft is Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami. Ward is praised for his improvisational skills, exceptional arm talent, and ability to make off-platform throws, qualities that Simms values highly in the modern NFL.
• No. 2: Shedeur Sanders (Colorado). The son of Deion Sanders and star of the Colorado Buffaloes program, Shedeur Sanders lands at No. 2. Sanders is lauded for his quick release, accuracy, and poise in the pocket, showcasing the kind of polish and football IQ that translates well to the professional level.
• No. 3: Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss). Rounding out the top three is Jaxson Dart. Dart’s blend of athleticism and downfield passing ability makes him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a dynamic playmaker.

Other notable prospects are grouped into separate tiers. Kyle McCord and Quinn Ewers, two highly-touted college quarterbacks, were placed in Simms’ Tier 3. Simms noted that McCord possesses a “wow” factor with some of his throws, indicating the raw talent is there, even if the consistency has yet to fully materialize in his evaluation. The debate around these college rankings will only intensify as the NFL Draft season approaches, with players like Carson Beck, Drew Allar, and Riley Leonard also vying for top spots.

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The Simms Methodology: Why He’s Always Controversial

What makes Chris Simms’ rankings so polarizing is his unwavering commitment to his own criteria. Unlike many analysts who rely on traditional metrics like passer rating or team wins, Simms focuses on the repeatable, physical skills of the quarterback. His evaluation process includes:

Physical Tools: Prioritizing arm strength, velocity, and the ability to make every throw on the field, especially those requiring advanced placement and touch. Simms has a high value for quarterbacks who can drive the ball into tight windows.

Pocket Mechanics: A deep dive into footwork, how a quarterback handles pressure, and their ability to reset their feet and throw accurately after movement. The "Pocket Rocket" tier is a direct result of this focus.

Decision-Making/Anticipation: Evaluating a quarterback's ability to read a defense and throw receivers open based on anticipation, rather than waiting for them to be open. This is often where a player like Patrick Mahomes is scrutinized for relying on improvisation over clean pocket execution in some games.

By applying this rigorous, film-first approach, Simms consistently generates lists that challenge the status quo. His 2025 NFL rankings—placing Lamar Jackson at No. 1 and Patrick Mahomes at No. 4—serve as a powerful reminder that in the world of quarterback evaluation, there is no single, universally agreed-upon metric for greatness. Whether you agree or disagree, the Simms QB Countdown is an essential piece of the annual football discourse, forcing fans and analysts alike to reconsider what truly makes an elite quarterback.