Josh Allen tops NFL QB rankings in coaches’ poll, leads Mahomes and Stafford
Josh Allen has been named the top NFL quarterback in a new poll of coaches and executives, finishing ahead of Patrick Mahomes and Matthew Stafford in the latest rankings released on 14 July 2026.
The annual NFL quarterback rankings survey, conducted by coaches and executives across the league, placed Josh Allen at number one for the second straight year. Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs finished second, while Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams came in third. The poll reflects the opinions of 32 head coaches and 32 general managers, who ranked their top 10 quarterbacks based on performance, leadership, and overall impact.
Allen’s rise to the top spot comes after a 2025 season where he led the Buffalo Bills to the AFC Championship Game. His 2025 campaign included 4,383 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 11 interceptions, while also adding 456 rushing yards and eight rushing scores. The Bills finished 12-5 and won the AFC East for the third time in four years under Allen’s leadership.
This ranking isn’t just a feel-good moment for Allen-it cements his status as the NFL’s most complete quarterback. Coaches and executives value his dual-threat ability, arm talent, and clutch performances in high-stakes games. Allen’s 2025 playoff run, which included a 27-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round, reinforced his reputation as a big-game performer.
The poll also highlights Allen’s consistency. He’s finished in the top five of this survey every year since entering the league in 2018. His ability to elevate teammates and extend plays with his legs sets him apart from peers like Mahomes and Stafford, who rely more heavily on pocket presence and play-action schemes.
Behind Allen, Mahomes and Stafford, the poll placed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in fourth, followed by San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy in fifth. Rounding out the top 10 were Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles), Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), and Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys).
The rankings underscore the depth of elite quarterback play in today’s NFL. Only two of the top 10-Herbert and Lawrence-are under 28 years old, signaling a potential generational shift on the horizon.
For Allen, the focus shifts to the 2026 season and the Bills’ Super Bowl aspirations. The team enters the year with high expectations after back-to-back AFC title game appearances. Allen’s contract situation remains a storyline, with talks expected to intensify as the season approaches.
The coaches’ poll doesn’t carry official weight, but it offers a rare snapshot of how decision-makers view the league’s best. For Allen, the top ranking is validation-but the ultimate test comes on the field, where every snap in 2026 will shape his legacy.