The ongoing discussion surrounding the NFL‘s top quarterbacks took a sharp turn in July 2025, when Josh Allen was ranked above Patrick Mahomes in a recent quarterback ranking debate. This surprising shift, centered on the latest season performance and playoff success, sparked intense reactions among fans and analysts alike. This debate underscores the ever-present tension in evaluating quarterbacks, where recent achievements and career legacies collide.

The ranking emerged during a segment on FS1’s Speak, hosted by Joy Taylor, who questioned whether Allen deserved to be placed ahead of Mahomes. Hall of Fame basketball player and analyst Paul Pierce quickly sided with Allen, emphasizing recent results over historical accolades.

Paul Pierce’s Take: Highlighting Defensive Contributions and Recent Performance

Paul Pierce acknowledged Mahomes’s Super Bowl LVIII victory but credited Kansas City’s defense for playing a pivotal role in the Chiefs’ success. He asserted that the team’s defense deserves more recognition for powering their postseason run. Pierce also referenced statistical comparisons that favored Allen’s recent performance over Mahomes’s 2024 season.

“I know Mahomes got him to a Super Bowl. But we know that this Kansas City Chiefs team was built around their defense… they don’t get the credit for carrying them… through the regular season, but to the Super Bowl.”

—Paul Pierce, Analyst

“When you look statistically, Mahomes wasn’t that great. He had 26 passing TDs… tied a career low, while Allen is coming off an MVP season.”

—Paul Pierce, Analyst

“Yeah, I think he should be ranked ahead of Mahomes because this is based off what have you done for me lately?”

—Paul Pierce, Analyst

Patrick Mahomes’s Career Achievements and Consistent Playoff Dominance

Despite Pierce’s critique, Patrick Mahomes’s career resume remains one of the most impressive in NFL history. Over his seven seasons as a starter, Mahomes has consistently rewritten the standards for quarterback excellence. His trophy case includes three Super Bowl rings, matching Joe Montana with three Super Bowl MVP awards, along with two NFL MVP honors and the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year award.

Statistically, Mahomes’ regular-season numbers are exceptional: 32,352 passing yards, 245 touchdowns, and a 102.1 passer rating over 112 games, coupled with an incredible 89-23 win-loss record. Although his 26 passing touchdowns in 2024 were a career low, the year still concluded with him securing another Lombardi Trophy.

Mahomes’s postseason performance truly sets him apart. In 21 playoff games, he has thrown for 5,814 yards, 46 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, boasting a record-breaking 105.4 passer rating—the highest in NFL history. His playoff win-loss tally stands at 17-4, with seven games achieving a passer rating above 120, an NFL postseason record. These feats demonstrate his ability to elevate his game when it matters the most, executing memorable comebacks and ice-cold performances under pressure.

Josh Allen’s Meteoric Rise and MVP-Caliber Excellence

Josh Allen’s rise to being ranked #1 this season is fueled by his extraordinary 2024 MVP campaign, which capped a streak of five consecutive seasons with at least 40 total touchdowns—an NFL first. Allen’s dynamic dual-threat capability distinguishes him from nearly every other quarterback, amassing 26,434 passing yards, 195 passing touchdowns, alongside 4,142 rushing yards and 65 rushing touchdowns, the latter being the second-most ever by a quarterback.

Allen holds several franchise records for the Buffalo Bills, including total touchdowns, rushing touchdowns, passing yards, and completions. His signature plays, from dazzling hurdle moves to powerful runs, electrify viewers and intimidate defenses. Paul Pierce even went further, placing Allen and Lamar Jackson above Mahomes based on recent performance.

“But I will tell you this, I wouldn’t even have Mahomes number two. I’m putting Lamar right there. I’m putting— I’m putting Allen, Lamar. This is based on last year.”

—Paul Pierce, Analyst

Mutual Respect Amid Fierce Competition

Even as the rivalry heats up, Mahomes and Allen maintain a relationship marked by respect and camaraderie. The two quarterbacks are known to be golf buddies, bonding off the field. After Allen’s playoff exit in January 2025, Mahomes reached out with a message of support.

“I always feel for him… he’s a great player, an amazing competitor and an awesome dude who I respect so much. I’m sorry it had to be us.”

—Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback

Allen frequently refers to Mahomes as

“one of the greatest to ever play,”

and their embrace before the 2024 AFC Championship game reflected the close bond shared between two fierce rivals battling on the biggest stages.

Playoff Performance: The Critical Battleground

While Allen’s regular-season stats and efficiency metrics impress—including ranking first in EPA per play and success rate, and posting 25 touchdowns against 4 interceptions over the last five playoff seasons—the head-to-head postseason matchup paints a different picture. Allen is 0-3 against Mahomes in the playoffs, with Mahomes dominating in key efficiency metrics during those games.

• Mahomes: 75.2% completion rate, 306 passing yards per game, 8 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 126.6 passer rating across the three playoff encounters.

• Allen: 65.3% completion rate, 267.3 passing yards per game, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 98.9 passer rating during the same contests.

Mahomes’s ability to perform at an elite level when the stakes are highest has resulted in four Super Bowl appearances and three victories in only seven starting seasons. In contrast, Allen boasts the record for most playoff starts (13) without reaching a Super Bowl, adding complexity to the quarterback ranking debate.

Ongoing Rivalry Shapes the Future of NFL Quarterbacks

The debate over the top NFL quarterback continues to captivate fans, with Mahomes representing consistent postseason excellence and championship pedigree, while Allen symbolizes raw power, MVP-level production, and a rapidly rising star. Mahomes’s so-called “down” year still concluded with a Super Bowl championship and another MVP award, underscoring his clutch performance in pivotal moments.

Allen’s narrative is one of relentless growth, pushing the boundaries of what a dual-threat quarterback can achieve, but until he overcomes Mahomes in the playoffs, the crown remains with Kansas City’s signal-caller. This dialogue is more than a simple ranking; it’s the defining quarterback rivalry of the decade, blending admiration, competition, and contrasting styles that fuel NFL passion. As this saga unfolds, the football world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this compelling matchup.