Brock Purdy edges Patrick Mahomes atop Week 5 QB power rankings

Brock Purdy continues to set the pace in CBS Sports’ latest NFL quarterback power rankings, holding onto the top position heading into Week 5 of the 2026 season. In the update compiled by Garrett Podell, Purdy stays just ahead of Patrick Mahomes in a race that usually defaults to the Kansas City star when all things are equal.

The rankings are presented as a week‑to‑week snapshot of every team’s starting quarterback, reflecting both current form and changing circumstances. CBS Sports notes that swings can be dramatic, with some passers jumping as many as 12 places or tumbling by 10 spots based on recent performances and the situations around them.

Mahomes trails amid ACL recovery as Purdy sets the bar

In a purely hypothetical setting, Mahomes would be the default No. 1 for the foreseeable future, according to the piece. However, he has not occupied the top spot for several weeks because of his torn ACL and because other quarterbacks are simply playing better at this stage, which has allowed Purdy to take over the lead.

Purdy’s start to 2026 is described as historic, underpinning his status as the league’s top‑ranked passer going into the fifth weekend. The feature reiterates that quarterbacks dominate the modern NFL landscape — they are the highest‑paid players, and each of the last 13 MVP awards has gone to a quarterback — which amplifies the significance of who sits atop this list.

Drake Maye surges, Justin Herbert sinks

Beyond the battle for No. 1, the Week 5 rankings highlight notable movement elsewhere on the board. Drake Maye is one of the biggest risers, leaping 10 spots compared to the previous edition as his early‑season play strengthens his standing among the league’s starters.

On the other side of the spectrum, Justin Herbert remains stuck near the bottom of the rankings. His placement underscores the central idea of the exercise: it focuses on how quarterbacks are playing right now rather than relying solely on reputation or past production.

CBS Sports emphasizes that the quarterback hierarchy is fluid and will continue to evolve as the season unfolds, with injuries, supporting casts and game‑to‑game performance all influencing future updates. Mahomes could reclaim No. 1 in time, but as Week 5 kicks off, Purdy is the quarterback setting the standard in these rankings.