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Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025 and Josh Allen didn’t have an MVP season last year, but that doesn’t stop Colin Cowherd from ranking both stars among his top two NFL quarterbacks. But which of the two is the best quarterback in the league?
Cowherd answered that question by ranking the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings aren’t that simple because talent trumps everything. Cowherd evaluates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current career momentum.
With those factors in mind, here are Cowherd’s top 10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season.
I missed the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield
Cowherd’s thoughts: “35-10 in his last 45 starts – the highest winning percentage of 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 there – remember he was on the Carolina bench, came back, went 4-2 – if you take his career from there [in 2022], [he’s the] the winningest quarterback in the NFL with the second-best passer rating.
Cowherd’s thoughts: “The most disrespected guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with over 4,000 passing yards. And, strangely, he never misses a start. Him and Caleb Williams, they’re not injured.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “Bad o-line. Random running game. Been to a Super Bowl. I’m finally going to have AJ Brown, a No. 1 wide receiver – that’s what’s been 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.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “I love him. He doesn’t play like anyone. He doesn’t move like anyone. Two MVPs. He has the highest passer rating in NFL history, and everyone says, ‘I don’t know if he’s a good pocket passer.’ I don’t know, the analysts like him. The highest winning percentage of any quarterback in league history to not make the Super Bowl. ยป
Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think, on any given Sunday, he’s the best player in the league. Burrow’s durability is a big deal. You want him to win more. But I repeat, I’m not sure – on a fourth-and-7, down 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 found himself saddled with cheap ownership and a minimalist front office. time, with terrible o lines.
Cowherd’s thoughts: “He just won MVP. What do you want me to say? They’re favored to win the Super Bowl. He took a bunch of mid-round guys – fifth-rounder Puka Nacua, made him a star. So I’m not building that for another five years. He’s one of the five best quarterbacks in the NFL right now.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “Worst offensive line in the NFL. Made the playoffs. That’s crazy! He’s beloved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most beloved players in the NFL in their respective lockers. He’s only missed six starts in his career, which is confusing because he’s never had a good offensive line.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “Do you know what his numbers are in 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. Was hit more than any other quarterback in the league in his rookie year. Incredibly durable. Makes throws only Josh Allen can make.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “He’ll 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 rely on recency bias. He’s incredible.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “He was very good in the playoffs. He won 70 percent of his games with a defensive head coach that most of you didn’t like. Seven straight years with 10+ wins. I’m sorry guys, he was better than (Patrick) Mahomes two years in a row.”
