Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been recognized as the top quarterback in the NFL, according to recent surveys of league executives, coaches, scouts, and writers. This marks a shift from previous years, where Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs typically held the top position.
An ESPN survey, which polls NFL executives, coaches, and scouts annually, placed Allen at number one. Reporter Jeremy Fowler noted that Allen’s average ranking of 2.10 per ballot helped him secure the top spot, despite Mahomes having a higher percentage of first-place votes. One general manager highlighted Allen’s unique achievement as the only player in NFL history with at least 200 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns.
Mahomes, who was ranked first in the previous year’s ESPN survey, fell to second. The top five in this survey also included Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson.
Allen’s Recent Performance and Comparison to Mahomes
Over the past three seasons, from 2023 through 2025, Allen has demonstrated slightly more productivity and efficiency as a passer compared to Mahomes. Allen recorded 11,705 passing yards, 82 passing touchdowns, and 34 interceptions, with a 98.6 passer rating. In the same period, Mahomes had 11,698 passing yards, 75 passing touchdowns, and 36 interceptions, with a 91.9 passer rating.
The difference in rushing statistics is more pronounced. Allen accumulated 41 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons, while Mahomes had seven. This brings Allen’s total touchdowns to 123 in that span, compared to Mahomes’ 82.
One NFL general manager described Allen as the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when he is at his best, noting that he has reduced turnovers in the past two seasons. An NFL coordinator suggested that hits Mahomes has taken may have been taking a toll even before his recent injury.
AP Writers’ Survey Results
Separately, a preseason survey conducted by The Associated Press also named Allen as the NFL‘s top quarterback. Allen, who was the 2024 AP NFL Most Valuable Player, received five first-place votes from a panel of eight AP pro football writers. Each writer ranked their top five quarterbacks for the upcoming 2026 season.
Allen appeared on all eight ballots and also received one second-place vote, one third-place vote, and one fourth-place vote. Mahomes finished second in the AP survey, receiving two first-place votes. Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, was third, followed by Lamar Jackson in fourth and Joe Burrow in fifth.
In 2025, Allen had a campaign where he threw for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, achieving a 102.2 passer rating. He also rushed for 579 yards and 14 scores, making his fourth Pro Bowl and finishing third in MVP voting. Despite these performances, the Bills‘ streak of five consecutive AFC East titles ended, and they were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs against Denver, which led to coach Sean McDermott losing his job. The Bills are still seeking their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1993 season, despite seven straight playoff appearances.
Mahomes’ Recent Season and Injury
Mahomes’ 2025 season concluded prematurely after he sustained a torn ACL in Week 15. The Chiefs had a 6-8 record with Mahomes playing and lost all three games without him. Before his injury, Mahomes recorded 3,587 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He is aiming to be ready for Week 1 as Kansas City looks to rebound from its first losing season under Andy Reid.
Mahomes had been a unanimous choice for the number one spot in the AP survey in 2023 and 2024. This year, he was ranked by at least one voter as the best quarterback, while another voter ranked him as low as ninth.
Other Top Quarterbacks
Matthew Stafford earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career and won his first NFL MVP award last season. He received one first-place vote and two second-place votes in the AP survey, appearing on all eight ballots. The Rams finished with a 14-6 record, including two playoff victories before a loss to Seattle in the conference championship. Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, with eight interceptions and a 109.2 passer rating.
Lamar Jackson, a three-time All-Pro and two-time NFL MVP, experienced his first losing season as a starter in 2025, with the Baltimore Ravens missing the playoffs. He threw for 2,549 yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, achieving a 103.8 passer rating, and had a career-low 349 rushing yards and two scores. Jackson received two third-place votes and appeared on six ballots in the AP survey.
Joe Burrow played only eight games last season due to a toe injury, leading the Bengals to a 5-3 record. This was the third time he played 10 or fewer games due to injuries. He threw for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions, with a passer rating of 100.7. Burrow appeared on five ballots in the AP survey, receiving one third-place vote.
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Source: foxnews.com
