**Mahomes Cements Top Spot in Prisco’s NFL Rankings, Tagovailoa’s Position Sparks Debate**
In the arena of the National Football League, few things are as certain as Patrick Mahomes’ prowess on the field. This was further validated as CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco unveiled his annual Top 100 players list, unsurprisingly crowning the Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback as the league’s pinnacle performer. Mahomes’ leadership has been instrumental in the Chiefs securing back-to-back Super Bowl victories, making him the unequivocal choice for the top rank.
However, the ranking has not been without its controversies, particularly surrounding the placement of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who landed at number 65. This ranking has spurred a wave of discussions and disagreements among the football community. Prisco’s assessment positions Tagovailoa as the 11th quarterback overall, trailing behind luminaries like Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow, despite Tagovailoa’s impressive 2023 season.
Further stirring the pot, Prisco placed C.J. Stroud and Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback whose contract discussions have been tepid, above Tagovailoa. These choices have raised eyebrows, especially considering Tagovailoa’s commendable performance last season where he led in several passing categories and showcased a significant passing yardage lead, despite the presence of a strong running game in the Dolphins’ backfield.
Prisco commented on the need for Tagovailoa to enhance his game in critical matchups to dispel the lingering doubts about his capabilities. Last season, Tagovailoa showcased a 69.3 completion percentage and maintained a touchdown to interception ratio exceeding 2-to-1, demonstrating his growth and potential.
As contract negotiations advance, it appears the Dolphins’ management holds Tagovailoa in higher esteem than Prisco’s ranking suggests. Talks with Dolphins general manager Chris Grier hint at a groundbreaking deal potentially making Tagovailoa the NFL’s highest-paid player, with a contract that could eclipse $300 million over five years.
This development follows Trevor Lawrence’s recent $275 million contract, setting a new benchmark for quarterback payments, which Tagovailoa is expected to surpass. This scenario underscores the expectancy within the sports community for Tagovailoa to not only transcend his current placement on Prisco’s list but to redefine his career trajectory in the forthcoming seasons.