Josh Allen Earns Honor Patrick Mahomes Held for Years
A leaguewide survey of coaches, executives and scouts put Allen first, with Mahomes, Stafford and Burrow rounding out the top tier.
- In ESPN's 2026 NFL quarterback rankings released on July 13, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen secured the top spot, surpassing Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the first time in the annual poll.
- Allen's ascension follows significant improvements in ball security over the last two seasons, with one general manager calling him 'the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when you get his A-game.'
- Allen remains the only player in NFL history with at least 200 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns, having led the Bills to seven consecutive playoff appearances as their starter.
- To bolster the offense after Stefon Diggs departed two years ago, the Bills acquired Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, providing Allen a reliable target to elevate performance in 2026.
- Mahomes ranks second despite leading all quarterbacks in first-place votes, though he faces criticism for injury struggles and forced throws that emerged during last season's playoff loss to Denver.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Josh Allen overtakes Patrick Mahomes in 2026 quarterback rankings
Josh Allen’s rise to the top of the NFL quarterback rankings reflects more than a narrow victory over Patrick Mahomes. It shows how league evaluators are weighing current performance, supporting casts, durability and individual influence as the position becomes increasingly difficult to separate. More than 70 executives, coaches and scouts submitted ballots across ESPN’s positional rankings. Allen finished with an average placement of 2.10, narr…
NFL coaches and executives say Patrick Mahomes is no longer the best quarterback in the NFL
Patrick Mahomes is no longer the best quarterback in the NFL, according to a new ESPN survey of NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. According to the annual poll, that distinction now belongs to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen."Allen has long pushed to supplant Mahomes, but he had to fight for every vote to finally make that happen," ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler explained. "Allen took advantage of the composite voting, averaging a ranking of…
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