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This QB Just Dethroned Patrick Mahomes as NFL’s Best, Says Top Analyst

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 7:06 PM ET

One NFL analyst boldly declared that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is no longer the bar other quarterbacks are trying to pass.

For the first five years of his career, few would argue that Mahomes was the top player at his position in the NFL. But over the last two years, Mahomes hasn’t quite lived up to the critically high bar he set for himself.

Since becoming a starter in 2018, Mahomes often led the NFL in passing, averaging 4,791 yards, 38.2 touchdowns, and 9.6 interceptions per season with a passer rating of 106.2.

But in the last two seasons, his production was been down significantly, averaging just 4,055 yards, 26.5 touchdowns, and 12.5 interceptions per season with a passer rating of 93.1.

And with the number of top young quarterbacks growing — a list that includes Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Houston’s C.J. Stroud, Green Bay’s Jordan Love, and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy — fans probably expected Mahomes to lose his title as the NFL’s best QB at some point.

The 33rd Team’s Sam Monson believes that time is now, arguing that Allen, the reigning MVP, has surpassed Mahomes, a two-time MVP, as the best signal-caller in the league.

“I believe the best quarterback right now is Josh Allen,” Monson said. “I think he’s become the guy. Like, for years it was Patrick Mahomes. Brady, that generation — once they went, Mahomes took over. The start of Mahomes’ career was absolutely mind-blowing; the last couple of years though, he’s not been that guy and really it’s been Josh Allen.

“I think you can make a case for a couple of other people, but Allen’s combination of freakshow, wow plays, everything he can do with his arm, the cheat code that is his short-yardage ability, his athleticism, the fact that he basically does not take sacks—I mean, one of the lowest pressure-to-sack rates you’re going to find anywhere—utterly absurd analytics numbers behind him as well. I think Allen’s the guy right now.”

Allen is coming off arguably the best season of his career.

He racked up 4,262 total yards (3,731 passing, 531 rushing) and 40 total touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing) with a career-low six interceptions while leading the Bills to 13 wins (tying the franchise record) and falling just one win shy of the team’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1994.

After adding a pair of former second-round picks in wide receivers Elijah Moore and Laviska Shenault, plus wideout Joshua Palmer, Allen enters 2025 with arguably the deepest WR room he’s had in his seven-year career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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