Josh Allen, Mahomes, Stafford Lead Top 10 NFL QB Rankings by Coaches, Execs in New Poll

Josh Allen overtook Patrick Mahomes for the title of best quarterback in Jeremy Fowler's annual positional rankings.

The ESPN insider had the Buffalo Bills star in the top spot after canvassing people around the NFL. None of the respondents listed him lower than fourth.

Winning an MVP was enough to move Los Angeles Rams star Matthew Stafford up from sixth to third.

Here's the full top 10:

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
4. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
7. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
8. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
9. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
10. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

"He's the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when you get his A-game," one general manager said of Allen. "And he has cut down on the turnovers the past two seasons."

Allen's 215.8 passing yards per game were his fewest since 2019, but he has become more efficient through the air. His 69.3 percent completion rate was a career high, while his 16 interceptions the last two years are fewer than he had in 2023 alone (18).

The Bills' receiving corps also left something to be desired, with Khalil Shakir finishing as the leading pass-catcher.

"Look who he was throwing to. His wideouts weren't great," one coordinator told Fowler. "But he made it work and brought out their best. He elevates the people around him, clearly.

That Mahomes can rank No. 2 despite having one of his worst seasons is a testament to his reputation.

"He still puts fear in people like no other quarterback — gives you a shot in every game," a quarterbacks coach said. "His skill set combined with his will to win puts him at the top."

The New England Patriots' Drake Maye and Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams still have to earn that respect after both took a big step forward in Year 2.

Maye was the MVP runner-up after throwing for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Williams had 3,942 passing yards and 27 touchdowns and powered Chicago to a win over the rival Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round.

"He's really talented, but I need to see more," a NFC defensive coach said of Maye. "Other quarterbacks on this list have proven it over time, and he's got to keep doing it."

Williams, meanwhile, was labeled "the most dynamic of the group" by one general manager and also "wildly erratic" by a defensive coach.

"Doesn't always take the layups and still needs to mature into the position," the coach said. "[He] has some of those 'what is he doing?' plays. But he also makes plays only he and Mahomes can make. [He] can throw from any angle, deceptively fast when forced to scramble and he's got the 'it' factor in crunch time."

It's safe to assume Maye and Williams will be higher on the list if they prove their 2025 performance was no fluke.