Chris Simms, former quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recently made a surprising claim by placing Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen among the all-time great quarterbacks. On his June 10 podcast, Simms grouped Allen with Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, describing them as a top-tier quarterback class comparable to legends of past decades.
Simms Compares Today’s Top Quarterbacks to NFL Legends
Simms ranked Allen in the same elite category as Mahomes, Jackson, and Burrow, a grouping often seen as the current standard bearer at the position. What raised eyebrows, however, was Simms’ comparison of this modern group to the prime eras of NFL greats like John Elway, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, and Jim Kelly.
On his podcast, Simms stated,
“This is like [John] Elway, [Dan] Marino, [Joe] Montana, Jim Kelly in their prime,”
and added,
“I don’t know if you can find four [QBs] at the same time that are playing at such a high level as the four right now.”
—Chris Simms, Former NFL Quarterback
That comparison is especially notable because Elway, Marino, Montana, and Kelly collectively appeared in 14 Super Bowls, winning six championships. In contrast, the current group—including Allen—has three Super Bowl titles, all won by Mahomes, in addition to several MVP awards between them.
Assessing the Legacy and Impact of Today’s Quarterbacks
While the present-day stars boast impressive individual achievements, the legacy of the top quarterbacks from the 1980s and 1990s remains unmatched in terms of championship success. Additionally, the quarterbacks dominating the 2000s, such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Ben Roethlisberger, have also proven high levels of sustained excellence and postseason success.
Josh Allen’s status as one of the finest quarterbacks currently in the NFL is widely accepted, particularly after leading the Buffalo Bills to the AFC title game in his most recent season. Yet, to solidify his place among the greatest in league history alongside Mahomes, Jackson, and Burrow, a Super Bowl victory beyond Mahomes’ achievements seems necessary.
Given Allen’s competitive nature, it is reasonable to assume he shares this goal of reaching the pinnacle of NFL success, aiming to back up his impressive performances with a championship.