Josh Allen Ranked Best Quarterback in New ESPN Survey

Patrick Mahomes no longer holds the title of the best quarterback in the NFL, as revealed in a recent ESPN survey. The annual poll among NFL executives, coaches, and scouts now recognizes Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills as the top quarterback. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler highlighted that Allen had long aspired to surpass Mahomes and achieved an average ranking of 2.10 per ballot. This was aided by his 34.1% first-place voting, which was slightly lower than Mahomes’ 41.5%.

An NFL general manager commented on why Allen holds this position, noting his unique accomplishment as the only player with at least 200 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns in NFL history. Mahomes, who was previously ranked first, is now second, with Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson rounding out the top five.

Josh Allen secured his place at the top following a decisive win over Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, which concluded 30-21 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Despite Allen’s success in this survey, it has sparked varied reactions, partly due to his controversial image in mainstream sports media, often depicted as the ‘Big Bad White Quarterback.’ Critics emphasize Allen’s shortcomings compared to Mahomes in playoff performances and Super Bowl achievements, pointing out Allen’s lack of a playoff victory against Mahomes, three fewer Super Bowl titles, and five fewer appearances.

The survey focused on the present, assessing who stands as the best quarterback now. Given this criterion, Allen’s credentials are formidable. Over the past three seasons, he has demonstrated superior performance in many respects, prompting some to identify him potentially as the NFL’s best quarterback.

Josh Allen’s recent statistics (2023-2025):

• 11,705 passing yards
• 82 passing touchdowns
• 34 interceptions
• 98.6 passer rating

Patrick Mahomes’ recent statistics (2023-2025):

• 11,698 passing yards
• 75 passing touchdowns
• 36 interceptions
• 91.9 passer rating

During this period, Allen has also been more productive in rushing, with 41 touchdowns compared to Mahomes’ seven, giving Allen an impressive 123 total touchdowns to Mahomes’ 82.

The comparison between Allen and Mahomes evokes the historical rivalry between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Like Brady, Mahomes carries the legacy of Super Bowl victories. Conversely, Allen’s performance on a weekly basis shows parallels with Manning’s consistent prowess.

Supporters of Mahomes may argue the impact of surrounding talent, noting that both quarterbacks have recently worked with average receiving teams. However, Allen’s advantages in the running game and offensive line remain significant. Sharp Football Analysis rated the Bills’ offensive line third, while the Chiefs’ ranked 23rd. Bills’ running back James Cook led the league with over 1,600 rushing yards, contrasting sharply with the Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt, who managed just 611 yards.

Additionally, Mahomes benefits from the leadership of renowned head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach. The intensity of these discussions underlines the narrow margin between Allen and Mahomes as players.

While mainstream sports talk often suggests Allen is overrated or privileged, those assessing talent professionally present a more nuanced view. Despite analysts like Ryan Clark and Marcus Spears framing Allen within a cultural debate, professionals recognize Allen’s capabilities. As of the 2026 season, they place Allen instrumentally in the top-tier quarterback discussions, slightly ahead of Mahomes.

Josh Allen now leads the ranking as the NFL’s top quarterback while Mahomes, recovering from an ACL tear, remains a formidable presence whose performance may yet shift perceptions again.