NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
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 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 when he ranked the top-10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings are not so straightforward as talent trumps all. Cowherd evaluates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current momentum in 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
Cowherd’s thoughts: “35-10 in his last 45 starts – highest winning percentage of any quarterback in 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 from the start, you took his career – if you took his career [in 2022], [he’s the] winning quarterback in the NFL with the second-highest passer rating.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “The most disrespectful guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with over 4,000 passing yards. And weirdly, he never misses a start. He and Caleb Williams don’t get hurt.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “Bad o-line. Hit-and-miss run game. Got to a Super Bowl. Finally got to get AJ 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 of 23, with a bad o-line in front of him.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “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 says, ‘I don’t know if he’s a great pocket passer.’ I don’t know, analysts like him. Highest winning percentage of any quarterback in league history to not make a Super Bowl.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think on any given Sunday he’s the best player in the league. Burrow’s durability is a big issue. You want him to win more. But I’ll say it again, 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 got a cheap front office and minimal talent. Highest completion percentage and highest passer rating ever, with terrible o-lines.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “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’s a top-five quarterback in the NFL right now.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “Worst offensive line in the NFL. Went in the playoffs. It’s crazy! He’s loved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most loved players in the NFL in their respective locker rooms. Only missed six starts in his career, which is confusing because he’s never had a good o-line.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “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 quarterback in the league his rookie year. Incredibly durable. Makes throws like only Josh Allen can.”
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 get news bias. He’s great.”
Cowherd’s thoughts: “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 of 10-plus wins. I’m sorry guys, he’s been better than (Patrick) Mahomes two straight years.”
