Josh Allen ranked No. 1 QB by ESPN for 2026: "The most singularly unstoppable player at the position"
Josh Allen has overtaken Patrick Mahomes as the top-ranked NFL quarterback in recent league-wide rankings.
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The brief
Josh Allen has been named the number one quarterback in the NFL according to votes by AP writers. This shift in league status follows a period where Patrick Mahomes has seen his ranking slide to sixth in competing assessments, including those from PFN.
Coverage from Yahoo Sports, AP News, Spectrum News, and PFSN emphasizes a comparative analysis between the two players. Reporting highlights that evaluators, coaches, and former players are pointing to a decline in consistency for Mahomes, compounded by a major injury sustained during the previous season.
Observers are looking toward the start of the 2026 season to see how these rankings translate to on-field performance. Coverage does not yet specify how these internal league evaluations will impact betting or pre-season predictions.
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Quick answers
Who ranked Josh Allen as the top quarterback?
AP writers voted Josh Allen as the number one quarterback in the NFL.
Where does Patrick Mahomes appear in the latest rankings?
According to PFN’s Top 100 list, Patrick Mahomes is currently ranked as the 6th-best quarterback.
What factors are cited for the change in rankings?
Coverage points to a major injury sustained by Mahomes and recent performance struggles, which analysts suggest have shifted the consensus away from his previous top status.
Coverage (11)
- Patrick Mahomes Ranked As 6th-Best QB in NFL on PFN’s Top 100 After Major Injury During Down Season With Chiefs Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- Despite ESPN’s poll results, Patrick Mahomes is still the league’s best quarterback Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- Patrick Mahomes Ranked As 6th-Best QB in NFL on PFN’s Top 100 After Major Injury During Down Season With Chiefs PFSN · 23h ago
- Josh Allen voted the NFL’s top quarterback by AP writers Spectrum News · 23h ago
- “Really Hasn’t Been the Same”: NFL Analyst Explains Why Josh Allen Edged Patrick Mahomes for No. 1 Ranking Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- ‘Wasn’t As Good’ — Ex-NFL CB Doesn’t Mince Words On Why Josh Allen Deserves No. 1 Spot Over Patrick Mahomes in QB Rankings Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- Skip Bayless Calls Out Josh Allen After QB Earns Special Achievement Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- ‘Struggled Even Before the Injury’ — NFL Coach Gets Brutally Honest About Patrick Mahomes Ahead of 2026 Season Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- The rest of the NFL just ended the long-standing debate between Buffalo Bills' quarterback Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
- Josh Allen is voted the NFL’s top quarterback by AP writers AP News · 23h ago
- Josh Allen Finally Gets the Respect He Deserves From NFL Evaluators Yahoo Sports · 23h ago
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