Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025. Josh Allen didn't win MVP last year. Yet Colin Cowherd still ranks both among the league's elite—with Allen claiming the top spot.

Cowherd released his quarterback rankings ahead of the 2026 season, measuring players on three criteria: production, durability, and current career momentum. His methodology cuts deeper than raw talent.

Those who didn't make the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield

10. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

"He's going to be back in September. Each of his first seven years, led the Chiefs to a division title and an AFC Championship appearance. Sorry, don't get recency bias. He's amazing."

9. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

"Do you know what his numbers are the first two years? Forty-seven touchdowns, 13 picks, never hurt. Never hurt in high school. Never hurt in college. Never hurt in the pros. Got hit more than any other quarterback in the league his rookie year. Unbelievably durable. Makes throws that only Josh Allen can make."

8. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

"Worst offensive line in the NFL. Made the playoffs. That's insane! He's beloved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most beloved players in the NFL in their respective locker rooms. Missed only six starts in his career, which is confounding because he's never had a good o-line."

7. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

"He just won the MVP. What do you want me to say? They're favored to win the Super Bowl. He's taken a bunch of mid-round guys—Puka Nacua, fifth round, made him a star. So I'm not building this for five years. He is a top-five quarterback in the NFL right now."

6. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

"I think, on any given Sunday, he's the best player in the league. Burrow's durability is a big problem. You want him to win more. But I will say it again, I'm not sure—on a fourth-and-7, trailing by four in a Super Bowl—if there's a guy I want at quarterback more than Joe Burrow. I think he's an all-time talent. He got saddled with a cheap owner and a minimalist front office. Highest completion percentage and highest passer rating all time, with terrible o-lines."

5. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

"I love him. He doesn't play like anybody. He doesn't move like anybody. Two MVPs. He has the highest passer rating in NFL history, and everybody's like, 'I don't know if he's a great pocket passer.' I don't know, the analytics guys like him. Highest win percentage by any quarterback in league history not to make a Super Bowl."

4. Saquon Barkley (Note: This appears to be Jayden Daniels, New England Patriots based on context)

"Bad o-line. Hit-and-miss run game. Got to a Super Bowl. Finally going to get A.J. Brown, a No. 1 wide receiver—that's what's being reported. I think you'll see how special he is. Led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating at 23, with a bad o-line in front of him."

3. Ben Roethlisberger (Note: This appears to be Dan Campbell's Lions QB)

"The most disrespected guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with 4,000-plus passing yards. And, strangely, never misses a start. He and Caleb Williams, they don't get hurt."

2. Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks

"35-10 in his last 45 starts—highest win percentage by any quarterback the last two years in the league. Big, athletic, risk-taking. No turnovers when it mattered in the playoffs. Still 28, five different teams—what a disaster. But if you go—remember he was benched in Carolina, came back, went 4-2—if you take his career starting then [in 2022], [he's the] winningest quarterback in the NFL with the second-highest passer rating."

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

"He's been very good in the playoffs. He's won 70% of his games with a defensive head coach that most of you didn't like. Seven straight years with 10-plus wins. I'm sorry folks, he's been better than Patrick Mahomes two straight years."