Josh Allen is being crowned “America’s Quarterback” over Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson (Getty Images)
Josh Allen has 30,102 passing yards, an NFL MVP award, and eight seasons of remarkable consistency with the Buffalo Bills. As the 2026 season kicks off, NFL analyst Craig Mish made a striking claim ahead of the Bills’ September 13 opener against the Houston Texans — that Allen has surpassed Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson to become the quarterback most of America genuinely wants to see win it all. His 2024 MVP season was arguably his cleanest. His 41 total touchdowns made it five straight seasons with at least 40.
He posted a video under the title “Has Josh Allen somehow become America’s quarterback?” and what followed was a pretty honest breakdown of where fan affection actually sits across the league. “I think this may be one of the rare occasions where fans are rooting for the Bills to win the Super Bowl this season,” Mish said. The numbers told one story. The playoff exit told another.
The one thing he doesn’t have is a Super Bowl ring. The label sounds bold, maybe even premature. But Mish’s reasoning is less about stats and more about public sentiment. “They’re rooting for Josh Allen. I think he’s a good guy. I think they would like to see Buffalo win. When Mahomes was winning Super Bowls, I think everyone recognized he’s great, but I don’t think people were rooting for the Chiefs. Twenty-eight passing touchdowns, twelve rushing scores, and a career-low six interceptions. He also caught a touchdown pass. He threw fewer turnovers, took fewer sacks, and looked more in command than at any point in his career.
What separates 2026 from previous years is not just talent. It is the absence of excuses. A new coach, a revamped defense, a stronger supporting cast, and a quarterback who has already proven he can carry a team — if Buffalo falls short again, the conversation around Allen will inevitably shift.