The ongoing discussion about who holds the title of the NFL’s best quarterback has ignited fresh debate as analyst Bill Simmons ranks Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen above Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Simmons voiced his opinion in 2024, arguing that Allen’s consistent performance, durability, and ability to overcome challenges place him at the summit, rather than Mahomes, widely regarded as the top QB for years.
Simmons stated,
“I did not have Patrick Mahomes at the top of the pyramid,”
and went further to affirm,
“When it came right down to it, I just think Josh Allen’s the best quarterback in the league. Game by game, regular season, durability. He can make chicken salad out of chicken [expletive].”
Emphasizing Allen’s achievements, Simmons pointed to Mahomes’ lack of a Super Bowl win in the previous season, remarking,
“From what we saw from Mahomes last year, which I want to go into in a second, I just don’t think it’s fair to put him over Josh Allen, especially because Mahomes didn’t win the Super Bowl last year.”
Arguments Highlight Allen’s MVP Season and Regular Season Edge
Josh Allen’s candidacy as the league’s best quarterback has strengthened, particularly after his 2024 MVP award season during which he excelled despite limited support in the wide receiver corps. Allen’s regular-season performance outpaced Mahomes’, supporting Simmons’ claim from a statistical and durability standpoint. The Bills’ signal-caller’s ability to lead the team efficiently without an elite receiving cast has been a significant factor in this assessment.
Nonetheless, Allen’s critics and Mahomes’ supporters point out that Mahomes faced similar challenges with his supporting lineup. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce’s production showed signs of decline, and Mahomes missed the services of key receivers Rashee Rice and Marquis Brown for much of the season. These factors balanced out the perceived disadvantage in Allen’s scenario.
Super Bowl Success and Playoff Records Shape the Debate
The crucial difference in the Mahomes versus Allen debate lies in postseason achievements. Patrick Mahomes has reached the Super Bowl five times and secured three championships, while Allen has yet to appear in a Super Bowl. This gap is a major consideration for fans and analysts alike.
Buffalo’s inability to advance past the Chiefs in the playoffs has also fueled the controversy. Since 2020, Kansas City has eliminated the Bills from the postseason four times, with Allen and his team failing to defeat the Mahomes-led Chiefs on any of those occasions. These repeated playoff losses deepen the challenge of placing Allen above Mahomes in the quarterback hierarchy.
Fan Reactions and Context Behind the Analyst’s Perspective
Bill Simmons’ viewpoint has been met with skepticism, especially from Chiefs fans and supporters of Mahomes, given Simmons’ allegiance to the New England Patriots. Mahomes represents a formidable obstacle to Patriots legend Tom Brady’s claim to being the greatest of all time, which colors some perspectives on his performance.
Despite this, Allen’s rise to elite quarterback status is undisputed, and his leadership and skill are recognized across the league. However, without a Super Bowl appearance and victory, the argument to place Allen definitively over Mahomes remains inconclusive for many observers.
Looking Ahead: What It Would Take for Allen to Cement No. 1 Status
For Josh Allen to dispel all doubts and firmly hold the top spot among NFL quarterbacks, overcoming the playoff hurdles and capturing a Super Bowl would be pivotal. Such a triumph would shift the narrative strongly in his favor and allow analysts to evaluate his career on a more comparable level with Mahomes.
Until then, the contrast between Allen’s regular-season success and his postseason shortcomings versus Mahomes’ proven championship pedigree will continue to fuel passionate debates among fans, analysts, and players alike. This rivalry highlights the intricate balance between individual talent and team accomplishment in defining greatness in professional football.