Top-10 NFL QBs: Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes at No. 1? Colin Cowherd Shares List

Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025, and Josh Allen didn't have an MVP season last year, but that isn't stopping Colin Cowherd from listing the two stars as his top-two quarterbacks in the NFL. But which of the two is the league's best quarterback?

Cowherd answered that question as he ranked the top-10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings aren't as straightforward as talent trumps all. Cowherd rates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current momentum of their careers. 

With those factors in mind, here are Cowherd's top-10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season.

Missed the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield

10.

Sam Darnold

Cowherd's thoughts: "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."

9.

Jared Goff

Cowherd's thoughts: "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."

8.

Drake Maye

Cowherd's thoughts: "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