Colin Cowherd Ranks Josh Allen Above Patrick Mahomes In NFL QB Rankings
A recent ESPN poll labeled Patrick Mahomes the NFL's second-best quarterback entering the 2026 season. Colin Cowherd has no qualms with that placement.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler published quarterback rankings on Monday, as voted on by league executives, coaches, and scouts. Josh Allen took the top spot from Mahomes, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season.
Cowherd concurred, also placing Allen first and Mahomes second when listing his top-10 quarterbacks on Tuesday.
"Josh Allen has his health," Cowherd said. "He's a force of nature. Six straight years with at least one playoff win. He's in his prime, and he's done remarkable things with a coach from the defensive side that got fired."
Cowherd claimed that the Buffalo Bills have let Allen down and not offered him the same infrastructure as the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowls behind Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid.
"That's not saying he'd have as many trophies as Mahomes, but I think his size, his arm, he's healthy, he's in his prime -- Josh Allen's the best quarterback in this sport," Cowherd declared.
Cowherd predicts Mahomes rebound
Some may take Mahomes losing the No. 1 spot as a slight. Others, however, may argue that No. 2 remains generous for a signal-caller returning from a significant injury after posting a career-worst 89.6 quarterback rating last year.
Cowherd believes a healthy Mahomes will return to form behind an improved offensive line and running game. He's just not confident enough to keep the two-time MVP at the top.
"I think he will be Patrick Mahomes again," Cowherd said, "but I'm gonna wait to see it."
The Fox Sports pundit noted that Mahomes is 20-20 in games Kansas City has trailed by 10 or more points.
"He is the greatest come-from-behind quarterback of my life," Cowherd claimed.
Allen beats out Mahomes in ESPN poll
Mahomes received more first-place votes (41.5%) than Allen (34.1%) in the ESPN poll, but the composite vote favored the Buffalo Bills star. Among the 70-plus voters, Mahomes placed as low as No. 9.
"Mahomes struggled even before the injury last year -- held the ball too long and forced throws when it wasn't necessary," a defensive NFL coach said. "Still has a tendency to chase the big play instead of keeping the offense on schedule."
Another NFL coordinator argued that Mahomes was beginning to feel the impact of frequent hits before his ACL tear, but a different coach refused to write off the 30-year-old.
"He still puts fear in people like no other quarterback -- gives you a shot in every game," an NFL quarterbacks coach said. "His skill set combined with his will to win puts him at the top."
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