Josh Allen tops ESPN QB rankings despite 2025 dip, stats show

Josh Allen has reclaimed the top spot in ESPN’s positional rankings of NFL quarterbacks for 2026, defying critics who pointed to his 2025 struggles.

Is Josh Allen the NFL’s best QB right now?

ESPN’s latest positional rankings place Allen at No. 1 among quarterbacks, a ranking that arrives despite his down 2025 season. The move reflects a league-wide shift toward valuing current form over career résumés. Allen’s 2026 resurgence features a completion percentage over expected (CPOE) of +1.5, up from 0.8 in 2025 and well ahead of Patrick Mahomes’ -2.9 mark, per Next Gen Stats.

His rushing impact remains unmatched. Allen outrushed Mahomes by 145 yards over expected in 2025 and finished with nine more rushing touchdowns. Those numbers underscore why analysts now view Allen as the most dangerous signal-caller in football, even after a year when Buffalo’s offense sputtered in key moments.

How Allen’s stats stack up against Mahomes

The gap between Allen and Mahomes isn’t just about totals. Allen’s CPOE jump from 0.8 to +1.5 in 2026 shows a tighter, more efficient passing game under center. Mahomes, meanwhile, posted a -2.9 CPOE in the same span, marking a rare dip for the three-time Super Bowl winner.

Rushing yards over expected (RYOE) tell another story. Allen’s +145 RYOE in 2025 doubled Mahomes’ total, a trend that tilts the debate toward Allen’s dual-threat value. Bills fans argue that no other QB combines Allen’s arm talent with his ability to manufacture yards on the ground.

What’s next for the Bills in training camp?

Buffalo’s training camp opens at St. John Fisher University on 18 Jul 2026, with Allen front and center. The Bills’ offense will lean on him to bounce back after a 2025 season where injuries and inconsistency cost them playoff momentum.

Rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell arrives as the team’s fourth-round pick, expected to contribute early. But expectations for a 1,000-yard rookie season are unrealistic. Only one rookie WR topped 1,000 yards last year-Tetairoa McMillan, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year. The next-closest rookie, Emeka Egbuka, finished with 938 yards.

Can Keon Coleman turn things around in Year 3?

Keon Coleman’s second season raised red flags, especially around punctuality. The former second-round pick’s issues overshadowed his development, leaving Bills fans skeptical about a rebound in 2026. With camp approaching, Coleman’s focus and preparation will be under the microscope.

Allen’s standing atop ESPN’s rankings reflects a league that now values current performance over past glory. His 2026 numbers suggest the Bills’ franchise QB is back on track-at least for now.