Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the only active player on CBS’ new ranking of the 25 best players in NFL history.

If this is considered the “golden era” of the NFL, then there’s a ton of pressure on the shoulders of Patrick Mahomes. Because according to a new ranking by CBS Sports, the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback is the only active player among the 25 best to ever play the game.

In coming up with its list, CBS said it considered criteria including:

*Individual success/accolades won

*Dominance during his era

*Longevity and career milestones achieved

*Enduring impact/legacy

*Team success/championships won

*Ranking relative to his position

In a league long dominated by quarterbacks – the position has won the last 12 MVPs and its highest-paid player ever is a guy who has won only two playoff games in nine seasons in the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott – there are seven on the list.

Mahomes, who has won three Super Bowl MVPs before age 30, comes in at No. 11. He’s ahead of legendary quarterbacks John Elway (18) and Johnny Unitas (13), but behind the likes of Dan Marino (10), Peyton Manning (6), Joe Montana (5) and Tom Brady (1).

Mahomes was No. 8 on CBS’ ranking in 2024, but slipped after his second Super Bowl blowout loss. The Chiefs lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-22, in LIX last February.

“Still just 29 years old, Mahomes is a two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP,” CBS writes. “He’s just one of five quarterbacks all time with at least three Super Bowl rings. Expect him to climb back into the top 10 — and possibly even in the top five — in the coming years.”

The only other Chiefs player making the Top 25 is tight end Tony Gonzalez, who made 10 Pro Bowls in 12 seasons in Kansas City.