Patrick Mahomes beat out by Josh Allen for top QB in annual survey

A shift in the NFL quarterback hierarchy has emerged as Josh Allen is now voted the number one player at the position. According to reports from Yahoo Sports, Allen was voted the NFL's top quarterback by AP writers. Simultaneously, Buffalo Rumblings reports that Allen has been voted number one in the rankings produced by ESPN. This ranking indicates a change in the perceived dominance of the position, with Patrick Mahomes being beat out by Allen for the top spot in these annual surveys, as noted by Arrowhead Pride. Coverage from several major outlets emphasizes the scale of this shift.

ESPN's rankings for 2026 specifically describe Josh Allen as the most singularly unstoppable player at the quarterback position. This assessment is echoed across a variety of sports media platforms, including Yahoo Sports and the official Buffalo Bills communications. The reports highlight a consensus among professional writers and analysts that Allen currently holds the top rank over other elite players in the league, specifically displacing Mahomes from the premier spot he previously occupied. Contextual depth is provided by Fox News, which reports a broader sentiment coming from within the league. According to their coverage, NFL coaches and executives have stated that Patrick Mahomes is no longer the best quarterback in the NFL.

This suggests that the shift in rankings is not merely a result of media polling but is reflected in the opinions of the professionals who coach and manage the game. The transition of the top ranking from Mahomes to Allen marks a significant turning point in the evaluation of elite quarterback performance for the 2026 season. Future attention will likely focus on how these rankings influence the upcoming season. Based on the provided coverage, observers will be monitoring whether the assessment of Josh Allen as the most singularly unstoppable player holds true during active gameplay. While the current surveys and statements from NFL executives and AP writers establish Allen as the current leader, the impact of these rankings on team strategies and the ongoing rivalry between Allen and Mahomes remains a primary point of interest as the league moves forward into 2026.