NFL analyst’s most controversial opinion: Patrick Mahomes is no longer the #1 QB and here’s why

With Josh Allen riding high after his MVP season, one expert says the crown has officially shifted away from Kansas City’s star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick MahomesLAPRESSE

Patrick Mahomes has comfortably worn the NFL’s elite quarterback crown for much of the past half-decade.

The Kansas City Chiefs face of the franchise has captured three Super Bowl titles, earned multiple MVP awards, and consistently produced statistical excellence.

His dazzling performances have set a benchmark few have reached-until now.

Buffalo Bills quarterback and 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen has exploded onto the scene, delivering jaw-dropping plays with both his arm and legs

NFL analyst Sam Monson recently ignited the ongoing quarterback debate by declaring that Allen, not Mahomes, now stands at the top.

“I think Allen’s the guy now,” Monson asserted ahead of the 2025 campaign .

Why Allen’s résumé may finally eclipse Mahomes

Monson’s reasoning resonates when you examine Allen’s 2024 performance. He led the NFL in several key metrics: passing yards, total touchdowns, and rushing scores.

His MVP award reflects his hybrid-threat impact-stretching defenses vertically and breaking tackles to convert third downs and red-of-zone opportunities.

According to Monson, “Allen’s combination of freak show wow plays… the cheat code that is his shortyardage ability… the fact that he basically does not take sacks” places him at the summit .

Meanwhile, Mahomes had a relatively quieter statistical season in 2024. Though he guided Kansas City to a 15-2 record, his passing yards and touchdown totals dipped to career lows.

The defining moment came in Super Bowl 59: a lopsided defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles exposed cracks in the Chiefs’ armor and renewed questions about whether Mahomes’s era has hit a plateau.

Yet it’s important to remember that Mahomes’s legacy is built on more than any single season.

He remains one of only five quarterbacks to win three+ Super Bowls as a starter, has reached seven consecutive AFC Championship Games, and holds numerous NFL and postseason records.

His consistency in high-pressure settings has earned lasting respect across the league.

A defining season awaits

This upcoming season may be crucial in resolving this quarterback face-off.

When the Chiefs visit Buffalo in Week 9 of the 2025 campaign-a rematch of the AFC Championship game-both quarterbacks will have a chance to make a statement.

If Allen dominates, Monson’s claim gains validation. If Mahomes responds with dynamism and victory, he could reaffirm his claim to the throne.

Some analysts, like Steve Palazzolo, still place Mahomes ahead based on his career body of work, though admitting Allen has closed the gap.

Others argue that quarterback rankings are fluid; even legends like Brady, Manning, and Rodgers had peak seasons that outshone their contemporaries before equilibrium returned .

The quarterback debate is no longer theoretical, it’s personal and dynamic. Monson’s bold claim, “I believe the best quarterback right now is Josh Allen,” may spark discourse, but the proof will lie on the field this fall.

Both men enter 2025 near the pinnacle of the sport, yet only one can emerge as the definitive best.

As the saga unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be watching: is Josh Allen the new face of NFL quarterback supremacy, or will Patrick Mahomes once again solidify his crown?