Josh Allen Claims Top QB Spot, Surpasses Mahomes

Josh Allen now sits atop the NFL’s quarterback hierarchy after an anonymous league‑wide survey placed him at No. 1 among all signal‑callers. The Buffalo Bills quarterback secured the top ranking for the first time, edging out previous survey leader Patrick Mahomes. ESPN reported that executives, coaches and scouts voted Allen ahead of Stafford, Burrow and the rest of the field.

Allen’s elevation reflects a notable dip in turnovers over the past two seasons. He now averages roughly eight interceptions per year since 2024, plus 12 total fumbles across the same span. By contrast, his 2021‑2023 averages were 15.7 interceptions per season and 20 fumbles in two years. An anonymous coordinator praised his ability to “elevate the people around him” despite modest receiving talent.

Consistency has been a hallmark of his recent run. Allen posted at least 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns for three straight years, a streak unmatched in league history. Those dual‑threat numbers underscore his value beyond raw passing stats. The sustained production helped him capture the NFL MVP award and the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award this past season.

CBS Sports placed Allen at No. 3 overall in its 2026 preseason top‑100 list, making him the highest‑ranked quarterback behind Matthew Stafford. Only Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett precedes Allen in the rankings. Analyst Pete Prisco highlighted Allen’s leadership, noting that “He carries the Bills on his back” and expecting further growth under new offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

Allen’s ascent is especially sweet after earlier criticism. He was dubbed the “biggest trash‑talking quarterback” and “most overrated” in a 2024 preseason poll of NFL players. The ridicule turned into triumph when he earned MVP and sportsmanship honors later that year. The turnaround illustrates how vocal detractors can become his loudest supporters once success follows.