Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is widely regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He has all of the desirable traits one could ask for in a quarterback: size, a cannon of an arm, elite-level athleticism, keen instincts, strong leadership traits and an intense competitive fire.

Ever since he ascended to a full-time starter role during his second season in Buffalo (2019), Allen has made the Bills a contender, having carried them to double-digit wins and perennial playoff berths.

Allen consistently ranks among the league’s passing leaders and annually draws consideration for Pro Bowl honors.

But thus far, aside from a Super Bowl victory, one distinct honor has eluded Allen: the title of Most Valuable Player.

The seventh-year veteran has garnered votes for both MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, but has always finished behind rivals like Patrick Mahomes (twice) and Lamar Jackson (twice).

However, because of his all-around dominant level of play, many of Allen’s peers predict that his wait for his first MVP could soon end. Allen was the leading vote-getter when NFL players were asked, as part of The Athletic’s second anonymous player poll, to name who would join Mahomes, Jackson and Aaron Rodgers to become the next active player to win an MVP award. That trio has combined to win the last six MVPs, with each player winning twice.

Tom Brady in 2017 was the last player other than those three to win an MVP; no other active player has won the award.

The Athletic’s NFL beat writers conducted the poll in August and September.

Reporters asked 110 players the same set of questions, though not every player answered every question.

They were granted anonymity to freely offer their opinions on opponents, coaches, NFL rules, playing surfaces and more.

The results are as follows …

Allen, with 18 votes, received his props from peers across the league.

He led the Bills to a 3-0 start this season before falling Sunday night to the Baltimore Ravens. He’s sporting a career-best completion percentage of 69.3, has seven touchdown passes, no interceptions and two rushing touchdowns.

He had close competition as the Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow finished just two votes behind, followed by San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (11 votes) in third.

But a lot of players like Allen to earn some hardware.

“I feel like he’s due for one,” one player who picked Allen said.

“I don’t know when, but he’s going to get one.”

Added another: “Josh should have won it the year (2023) Lamar did.

If you look at any stat in that category, put them together, tell me how that worked out. I don’t get it.”

Said a third, “Josh Allen.

It should be a defensive player, but it won’t be.”

If a defensive player were to take home the honor, who would it be? The Las Vegas Raiders’ Maxx Crosby and Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett both received votes.

Other non-quarterbacks receiving votes included the Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson, Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill.

As the NFL has evolved into a pass-happy league over the last two decades, a game-changing wide receiver has become essential.

Understanding this, the players polled chose Hill (15 votes) and the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson (13 1/2 votes) as their building blocks.

Hill’s impact on the game is undeniable.

After helping the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl, he went to Miami, where he helped elevate Tua Tagovailoa to one of the NFL’s top passers and the Dolphins to the playoffs the past two seasons.

Hill has recorded 1,700-plus receiving yards in back-to-back seasons and in 2023 led the league in yards (1,799) and receiving touchdowns (13).

“Tyreek Hill,” one player said definitively.

“When I play Madden, that’s who I use.”

Another argued, “Got to take the highest-paid non-quarterback, and that’s Justin Jefferson.”

Pass rushers also garnered a great deal of consideration and respect.

Garrett finished third in the voting with 11 1/2 votes while the Dallas Cowboys’ do-it-all linebacker Micah Parsons finished fourth with 11 votes.

“That’s a great question. … I think Micah Parsons is a solid choice,” one player said.

“I think that as a defensive lineman, he’s very versatile.

You put him inside, outside, he can cover guys.

So, kind of got a bit of a Swiss Army knife on defense.”