Jul 3, 2026, 1:08 AM CUT
Josh Allen misses out on all-decade team as ex-Bills star makes the cut
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) smiles at something someone said before the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) smiles at something someone said before the Buffalo Bills wild card game against the Denver Broncos at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 12, 2025.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is already a big name in the NFL. The 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player and four-time Pro Bowl winner is a dual-threat phenomenon. Yet a surprise was in store for him.
Allen was left out of Pro Football Focus' (PFF) list of the best players in the NFL over the past two decades. PFF made their pick with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, listed as first-team and second-team selections, respectively.
Allen's chances were difficult. He was pitted against two players who have set a benchmark unlike any other. Between Brady and Manning, there are nine Super Bowls. Both were named NFL MVP multiple times, with Brady named thrice and Manning winning it five times.
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 looks on as players warm up before the AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 17 AFC Divisional Round Bills at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon132260117133
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 17: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen 17 looks on as players warm up before the AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 17 AFC Divisional Round Bills at Broncos EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon132260117133
The Bills quarterback does not have a Super Bowl yet despite his staggering numbers. His career statistic of over 30,000 yards more than justifies his claim to be named on that list, according to many. Yet for the time being, he will have to wait a little longer.
Looking at Brady's numbers at the same age gives a better perspective. At 30, the same age Allen is now, Brady had already thrown for about 26,000 passing yards.
In PFF's list, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees are ranked behind Manning, while Patrick Mahomes narrowly beat out Josh Allen after a big drop-off.
Allen might have missed out, but a former Bills EDGE Von Miller didn't. Miller was named as the second-team EDGE defender alongside Pittsburgh Steelers T.J. Watt. Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took up the top spot.
Miller did not win a Super Bowl with the Bills, but he recorded 14 sacks. He made 33 solo tackles and 17 tackles for loss during his time there. Miller's time at Buffalo also saw him struggle with his knee injury.
Meanwhile, PFF may have overlooked Allen, but CBS Sports hasn't.
CBS puts Josh Allen in the top 3 among 100 NFL players of 2026
Allen has found himself among the top 100 NFL players currently playing in the league, according to CBS Sports' analyst Pete Prisco.
NFL is a league packed with multiple talented players. With 32 teams divided into two conferences, the league comprises more than 1,600 players. Josh has found himself in the third spot among them.
This has been a move up for the quarterback because last season he was at the no. 4 spot. With an almost 70% completion rate last season, Allen is touted to go even further. He single-handedly carried the team on his back.
But this time, Allen needs a Super Bowl at least to get into a conversation with the likes of Brady, Manning, and even Patrick Mahomes.
Do you agree with both rankings? Let us know through your comments.
Read more at Quarter Back Central.
Written by
Sourav Ganguly
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar