Drew Brees has drawn sharp criticism from Kansas City Chiefs fans as the retired Super Bowl champion unveiled his post-Week 6 NFL power rankings this week, and his omission of the Chiefs has stirred considerable backlash among the fan base.
The former New Orleans Saints star placed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top after their strong win over the San Francisco 49ers, but the absence of the Chiefs, fresh off a commanding 30-17 victory against the Detroit Lions, immediately caught attention.
Patrick Mahomes had delivered a standout performance in that game, completing 22-of-30 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown against one of the NFC‘s powerhouses.
Many felt that such a display merited inclusion among the league’s top five teams, and Brees‘ omission appeared to contradict the Chiefs‘ recent form as they have gone 3-1 since beginning the campaign 0-2.
Following his recent comments on ESPN‘s First Take as the reaction on social media was swift and intense as Chiefs fans flooded to X.com, formerly Twitter, to voice their displeasure.
One user wrote, “I didn’t like Stephen A‘s list, but Drew‘s list is awful dude lol what is that.”
Another commented, “It’s a shame they turned Drew into a rage baiter. Used to like him.”
A third added, “He removed the Chiefs at 3 and put the Niners. Proof we can ignore this list.”
This marks the second time in recent weeks that Brees‘ opinions have generated controversy as earlier in the season, he described the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offense as “the most boring offense” in football, prompting backlash from their fans.
Ironically, his remarks later appeared accurate, as the Eagles‘ offense has since faltered. Despite the criticism, Brees remains an important voice on ESPN‘s First Take, where he is slated to appear every Tuesday throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Some analysts have suggested that Brees‘ outspoken style is part of ESPN‘s strategy to drive stronger debates among panelists and viewers. Whether intentional or not, his remarks have succeeded in generating attention from fans across the league, particularly in Kansas City.
In the broader context of the NFL season, the Chiefs‘ omission from Brees‘ rankings stands in contrast to their steady improvement on the field, showing championship-caliber form again with Mahomes at an MVP level.
Chiefs leap up The Athletic power rankings
While Brees may not see the Chiefs among his top contenders, analysts at The Athletic certainly do as Kansas City has surged ten spots in their weekly power rankings, climbing from No. 15 to No. 5 overall.
The Chiefs‘ early-season losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles now appear to be behind them as KC has since regained rhythm with convincing wins over the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.
Impressively, they have scored over 20 points in every game except that Eagles clash, which had a Kelce fumble on a fourth-and-goal, signaling that their offense is once again in full stride.
“For all of Mahomes‘ greatness, he hasn’t been a fantasy difference-maker in several years. It’s why his ADP was 55 this season,” wrote analysts Josh Kendall and Chad Graff. “He’s back, though, and the Chiefs might be, too.”
They noted Mahomes‘ recent surge in production, totaling 1069 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and 11 touchdowns in just four games and the Chiefs‘ recent form suggests their 3-3 record could quickly improve.
Their next two games-against the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders-offer opportunities to regain control of the AFC standings. If they continue this trajectory, Brees‘ rankings may soon appear outdated.
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