Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP, but not the NFL’s best quarterback, at least in the eyes of the league personnel who was polled by ESPN. In a top 10 ranking posted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Stafford ranked as the third-best quarterback behind Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
Stafford’s MVP campaign vaulted him into the top three in convincing fashion. Stafford earned an impressive 17% of the first-place votes. He has not been a fixture in the top half of the voting since the inception of our top 10
lists in 2020, but Stafford produced the fourth season in NFL history with at least 45 touchdown passes (46) and fewer than 10 interceptions (eight). The others were executed by Aaron Rodgers (2020, 2021) and Brady (2007).
“Nobody played better than him last year, and it wasn’t even close,” an NFL head coach said.
Stafford definitely improved in the eyes of the league, and has a completely reputation with the Los Angeles Rams than he had over 12 years with the Detroit Lions.
In five seasons with the Rams, Stafford has gone from “talented but doesn’t win and makes too many mistakes” to becoming a fixture in the top 5 for most people. That’s thanks to Stafford leading the Rams to the playoffs in four of five seasons and winning MVP last season.
Should he be ranked ahead of Allen, Mahomes?
Not even a down season and a torn ACL could rip Mahomes out of the top-two, apparently.
Mahomes posted a career-worst 62.7 percent completion rate in 2025, as the Chiefs went 6-8 in his 14 starts. He tore his ACL and is looking to be ready for Week 1. It’s actually been four years since Mahomes had a truly dominant statistical season, as 2022 was the last time he threw more than 27 touchdowns.
“He still puts fear in people like no other quarterback — gives you a shot in every game,” an NFL quarterbacks coach said. “His skill set combined with his will to win puts him at the top.”
Josh Allen moved up from 2 last season to 1st this year:
“He’s the most singularly unstoppable player at the position when you get his A-game,” the GM said. “And he has cut down on the turnovers the past two seasons.”
Should Stafford be ranked first?
Being in the top 3 means that Stafford is practically interchangeable with number one. So while he doesn’t get that title, the Rams are well-positioned to win the Super Bowl title.
