Josh Allen Overtakes Patrick Mahomes in ESPN’s NFL Quarterback Rankings
As NFL teams prepare to open training camps later this month, a notable shift has occurred at the top of the league’s quarterback hierarchy.
For the first time, Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen has claimed the No. 1 spot in ESPN’s annual quarterback rankings, ending Patrick Mahomes’ reign atop the survey.
The rankings, compiled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, were based on votes from more than 70 NFL executives, coaches and scouts across the league. Allen narrowly edged Mahomes through the composite voting process despite receiving a smaller percentage of first-place votes.
According to Fowler, Allen posted an average ranking of 2.10 per ballot, allowing him to surpass Mahomes, who led in first-place selections.
Allen’s rise to the top comes after several seasons of elite production. The Bills quarterback has established himself as one of the NFL’s most dynamic players thanks to his combination of arm strength, athleticism and playmaking ability.
His versatility has already placed him in a category of his own. Allen is the only player in NFL history to record at least 200 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns, underscoring the unique dual-threat skill set that has made him one of the league’s most difficult players to defend.
One NFL general manager told ESPN that Allen is “the most singularly unstoppable player at the position” when he performs at his highest level and noted his improvement in limiting turnovers over the past two seasons.
Although turnovers have occasionally been an issue throughout Allen’s career, particularly early on, league executives continue to view his aggressive style as a worthwhile tradeoff because of the game-changing plays he consistently produces.
An NFL coordinator echoed that sentiment, telling ESPN that teams accept both the highs and lows that come with Allen’s style because of the number of games he has won with his aggressive approach.
With training camp approaching, Allen and the Bills enter the 2026 season carrying significant expectations. After becoming the NFL’s highest-ranked quarterback in ESPN’s survey, the next challenge for the Buffalo star is leading the Bills to their long-awaited Super Bowl appearance.
