The AFC West Quarterbacks are really an impressive collection of talent. The group has a good argument to be a part of the best quarterback division of all time. NFL analyst Chris Simms discussed this on this podcast. He wondered if the “AFC West Quarterbacks could feature the strongest collection ever assembled”.
It’s a bold statement, but the argument isn’t difficult to make.
The AFC West Quarterbacks feature the NFL’s premier quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, one of the league’s most gifted passers in Justin Herbert, an ascending young star in Bo Nix, and a fascinating quarterback situation in Las Vegas involving veteran Kirk Cousins and first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza.
With that in mind, here is how the AFC West quarterbacks stack up entering the 2026 season.
Ranking the Best AFC West Quarterbacks for 2026
4. Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders
The number one overall pick is, unfortunately, the default fourth AFC West Quarterback.
The former Indiana quarterback enters the league with plenty of hype and a fan base eager for him to become the franchise’s savior. Mendoza possesses a strong arm, underrated athleticism, and the confidence teams want in a franchise quarterback. The Raiders clearly believe he is their long-term answer.
But until he takes meaningful NFL snaps, we’re mostly guessing.
Mendoza could eventually become the best quarterback in this division. He could also struggle through the same growing pains that many rookie quarterbacks face. Right now, nobody really knows which version of Mendoza the Raiders are getting.
Until he proves himself against NFL defenses, fourth is the only fair ranking.
His ceiling may be high, but his NFL résumé is just a blank page.
3. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Bo Nix has already proven many of his pre-draft critics wrong.
Some questioned whether his age and extensive college experience would limit his upside as a professional quarterback. Instead, those traits helped him transition quickly to the NFL. Nix looked comfortable running Sean Payton’s offense from the start and showed the decision-making and poise teams want from a young quarterback.
After an impressive rookie season, Nix took another step forward in 2025. He helped lead the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game and firmly established himself as Denver’s franchise quarterback. While an injury prevented him from playing in that game, his impact on the team’s success throughout the season was clear.
His quick processing, leadership, and command of the offense helped stabilize a franchise that had spent years and resources searching for answers at quarterback. The biggest thing was the growth he showed from Year 1 to Year 2.
Nix still has room to develop as a passer and playmaker, which should be expected entering his third NFL season. Denver has every reason to feel confident about where he is headed.
The reason he lands at number three, however, is that the two AFC West Quarterbacks ahead of him are simply better players right now. Nix has shown he can make plays and win games, but when you compare him directly to Justin Herbert, the difference in arm talent, playmaking ability, and overall physical tools is still noticeable.
That isn’t a criticism of Nix. Most quarterbacks would lose that comparison.
The Broncos believe they have found their franchise quarterback, and based on what Nix has shown through two seasons, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
2. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Few quarterbacks in football possess Justin Herbert’s physical gifts.
At 6-foot-6 with elite arm strength and outstanding athleticism, Herbert has every tangible quality a team would want in a franchise quarterback. If you were building a quarterback in a lab, he would probably look a lot like Herbert.
The challenge for Herbert has never been talent. Its results.
Around NFL circles, Herbert has earned the nickname “The If Man.” If the coaching was better. If his supporting cast stayed healthy. If the defense didn’t collapse. If the Chargers made one more play. Fair or not, those conversations have followed him throughout his career.
There is truth on both sides of the debate. Herbert has dealt with coaching changes, injuries, and inconsistent roster building. But at the same time, the NFL is about dealing with chaos. Finding ways to get results/winning, especially for quarterbacks viewed as elite.
That’s what keeps him behind Patrick Mahomes.
The reason Herbert remains ahead of Bo Nix is much simpler. Turn on the film, and Herbert does just about everything better. He has a stronger arm, generates more explosive plays, throws with elite velocity to every level of the field, and can make throws that only a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL can attempt.
Nix is a good quarterback who is trending in the right direction. Herbert is one of the most gifted quarterbacks in football.
That difference matters.
Herbert has produced impressive numbers and shown some of the best physical tools in the league. What is missing is the playoff run or signature postseason moment that changes the conversation around him. Until that happens, he’ll continue to be one of the AFC West Quarterbacks with alot talented and one of its most debated.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Until someone proves otherwise, Patrick Mahomes remains the King of the AFC West Quarterbacks.
Even what many considered a down year would qualify as a career season for most quarterbacks around the league. Mahomes has spent nearly a decade redefining expectations for the position, leading the Chiefs to championships while consistently making impossible plays look routine.
Multiple Super Bowl rings, MVP awards, and playoff runs have made Mahomes the standard by which every quarterback is measured.
No AFC West Quarterback can match that level of accomplishment.
Kansas City’s offense wasn’t as sharp as it had been in previous years, and injuries throughout the roster didn’t help matters. However, many of those problems went beyond Mahomes himself. Kansas City has spent the offseason working to address those weaknesses and found better support for its franchise quarterback moving forward.
Reports suggest Mahomes is progressing well in his recovery and is expected to return during the 2026 season. When healthy, he remains the standard by which every other quarterback in football is measured.
The AFC West Quarterbacks may have the best collection in the NFL, but there is still a clear number one.
Patrick Mahomes remains the quarterback every player in the division is chasing.
