Josh Allen finally knocked Patrick Mahomes off the top spot. For the first time since ESPN’s annual quarterback survey began in 2020, Mahomes is not No. 1 heading into an NFL season.
Jeremy Fowler polled more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts, and Allen edged his longtime rival on composite voting, averaging a 2.10 ranking per ballot despite Mahomes receiving more first-place votes.
The Bills quarterback got there through consistency across every ballot rather than being dominant at the top.
Sean Avery Challenges Josh Allen’s Top Spot Vs. Patrick Mahomes in NFL Top 100
The ranking generated significant discussion across sports media, leading quarterback coach Quincy Avery to publicly challenge the consensus. Avery, who trains Cleveland Browns starter Deshaun Watson, questioned the justification for placing Allen ahead of a three-time Super Bowl champion.
“No hate but what has Josh Allen done for everybody to have him as the best QB in the league?”, Quincy Avery posted on X.
No hate but what has Josh Allen done for everybody to have him as the best QB in the league?
— Quincy Avery (@QuincyAvery) July 16, 2026
The post immediately sparked widespread debate among football fans, many of whom highlighted Allen’s unique dual-threat capabilities. Allen, who turned 30 in May, remains the only quarterback in NFL history to record at least 200 passing touchdowns and 50 rushing touchdowns.
Evaluators in the ESPN poll praised his physical dominance, with one NFL general manager calling him the most singularly unstoppable player at the position. Supporters also pointed to his improved ball security, as Allen averaged only eight interceptions per season over the 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
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Avery later clarified his comments, explaining that his post was not meant to disparage Allen’s elite skill set but rather to defend Mahomes’s championship resume.
“When did I say I hated him? I think he’s great actually. I don’t think he’s the unquestionable #1 QB in the NFL tho. Not sure how you put anyone above Mahomes right now,” Avery said, responding to a fan.
When did I say I hated him? I think he’s great actually. I don’t think he’s the unquestionable #1 QB in the NFL tho. Not sure how you out anyone above Mahomes right now. https://t.co/d8pHYonqmn
— Quincy Avery (@QuincyAvery) July 16, 2026
Mahomes led the annual ESPN survey for three consecutive seasons before falling to the No. 2 spot this summer. The slide followed a challenging 2025 campaign for the Chiefs, who finished 6-11 as Mahomes dealt with a depleted receiving corps before suffering a season-ending torn ACL and LCL in December.
Despite these setbacks, Mahomes remains the standard for postseason success in the modern NFL.
As per the PFSN QB Impact Rankings, Allen grades at 80.3 for 2025, ranking ninth among qualified starters. Mahomes sits at 79.0, 11th overall. A one-round gap in a metric that weighs EPA per dropback, success rate, adjusted net yards per attempt and rushing value. Close enough that neither number ends the conversation.
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Addressing the ongoing backlash to his initial post, Avery reiterated that he has no bias against the Bills quarterback.
“Not sure how you see this and think I think he sucks. I just said everyone having him as the best seems odd,” he added.
Not sure how you see this and think I think he sucks. I just said everyone having him as the best seems odd. https://t.co/cYL9DeYDFW
— Quincy Avery (@QuincyAvery) July 16, 2026
With training camps set to open across the league in late July, the quarterback debate is poised to shift from social media to the field.
Mahomes faces a rehab timeline to return for the season opener, while Allen will attempt to validate his new status as the league’s top quarterback.
