The NFL world is buzzing with shock and disbelief as Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, fresh off his first NFL MVP award in 2024, has been ranked as the fourth-best quarterback heading into the new season by Fansided’s Christopher Kline. Despite dragging an injury-riddled Bills roster to the AFC Championship Game and posting jaw-dropping stats—3,731 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 531 rushing yards, and 12 rushing scores—Allen finds himself slotted behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson. For many fans and analysts, this ranking feels like a punch to the gut, defying the logic of Allen’s meteoric rise and undeniable impact.
A Ranking That Sparks Debate
Kline’s rankings, published on September 2, 2025, place Allen as the fourth-best quarterback in the NFL, and thus fourth in the hyper-competitive AFC. “Josh Allen finally reached the nexus last season and dragged an undermanned Bills team to the AFC Championship Game in the process,” Kline wrote, acknowledging Allen’s heroics. He added, “He also won league MVP, sneaking up from behind Lamar Jackson in the dead of night. It was a well-deserved recognition and a real ‘I’m here’ moment for the Wyoming product.” Yet, despite this glowing praise, placing Allen behind Mahomes, Burrow, and Jackson has left the NFL community scratching its head.
Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar, is an understandable choice for the top spot. His four Super Bowl appearances and three rings make him the gold standard. But Burrow, who edged out Allen in one playoff matchup, and Jackson, whom Allen has defeated twice in the postseason, leapfrogging the Bills’ signal-caller feels like a stretch. Allen’s 2024 season was a masterclass in dual-threat dominance, with his 40 total touchdowns (28 passing, 12 rushing) showcasing his ability to single-handedly carry his team. For many, Allen deserves to be ranked no lower than second, making his fourth-place slot a head-scratcher.
The Super Bowl Hurdle
The one knock on Allen’s resume is his inability to reach the Super Bowl. In the last five playoffs, he’s been ousted four times by Mahomes and once by Burrow, a stat that looms large over his otherwise stellar career. These losses, particularly to Mahomes’ Chiefs, have become Allen’s personal nightmare in the AFC. Yet, context matters: the Bills have faced roster challenges, including injuries and depth issues, that have forced Allen to shoulder an outsized burden. Compare this to last season’s Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, who benefited from a stacked roster featuring NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley (2,005 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns) and a suffocating defense.
Hurts, ranked eighth by Kline, threw for 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in 15 games while adding 630 rushing yards and 14 scores. While impressive, these numbers pale in comparison to Allen’s, yet Hurts hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy. If Hurts, with a superior supporting cast, can lead his team to glory, there’s no question Allen—arguably the better quarterback—can do the same with the right pieces around him. The ranking disparity between Allen (fourth) and Hurts (eighth) only fuels the argument that Allen’s placement undervalues his individual brilliance.
From Raw Prospect to Polished Star
Allen’s journey adds another layer of astonishment to this controversial ranking. When he entered the NFL in 2018 out of Wyoming, scouts flagged his turnovers and accuracy as red flags. In college, he posted a modest 56.2% completion rate and threw 15 interceptions across 27 games. Compare that to Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in Allen’s draft class, who boasted a 68.5% completion rate. But the Bills saw potential in Allen’s 6-foot-5, 240-pound frame and cannon of an arm, betting on his raw traits to translate into stardom.
That gamble has paid off in spades. Allen has transformed his game, boosting his career completion rate to 63.3% and cutting his interceptions to a career-low six in 2024. His ability to make jaw-dropping throws and bulldoze defenders with his legs has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Each year, Allen builds on his success, silencing doubters and rewriting his narrative. For a player who has evolved from a high-risk prospect to a perennial MVP candidate, a fourth-place ranking feels like a slight that ignores his trajectory.
The Path to Greatness
While Allen hasn’t yet reached the Super Bowl, his progress is undeniable. He’s one of roughly eight quarterbacks capable of leading a team to a championship, a group that includes Mahomes, Burrow, Jackson, and Hurts. The Bills’ star has already conquered one postseason demon, defeating Lamar Jackson twice in the playoffs. Now, he faces the daunting task of overcoming Mahomes and Burrow to claim AFC supremacy.
The NFL world may be stunned by Kline’s ranking, but for Allen, it’s just noise. His focus remains on the ultimate prize: hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. With his talent, work ethic, and relentless drive, it’s only a matter of time before everything falls into place. When that moment comes, the debates over his ranking will fade, replaced by the undeniable truth that Josh Allen is one of the NFL’s elite.