ESPN senior writer Bill Barnwell sparked quite the debate this Friday simply by projecting every team's future Hall of Famers.
Unsurprisingly, Barnwell had Josh Allen as the only surefire Hall of Famer on the Buffalo Bills. The former MVP has proven over the years that he's a game-changer capable of leading the Bills to the playoffs each and every season.
While declaring Allen a Hall of Famer isn't a reach, Barnwell took things one step futher and referred to him as THE quarterback of the 2020s.
"Allen would be the quarterback on the All-Decade first team if it were to be released tomorrow, although there would be at least some debate about instead awarding it to Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes," Barnwell wrote. "Every single All-Decade quarterback is enshrined in the Hall besides Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, who will be first-ballot entrants. Regardless, Allen will join them."
It didn't take long for media members and NFL fans to rip Barnwell for that claim. Most of them believe Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes deserves to be in that top spot.
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"Bill, you know how much I love you! And I don't think you're biased against the Chiefs. But calling Josh Allen the QB of the 2020s over Mahomes is such an unfathomable (and legitimately indefensible) opinion that I thought the initial screen grab was AI generated," FS1 personality Nick Wright wrote.
"Saying Josh Allen is QB1 this year is one thing. I disagree with it but sure. Saying that he is the quarterback of the 2020s up to this point over Patrick Mahomes is a slap in the face to NFL history. Mahomes accomplishments are unprecedented. I like Barnwell but holy," Chase Snyder said.
"Love your work bill… would love to hear your rational argument for making Josh Allen all decade quarterback when Mahomes has 4 afc titles, 2 Super Bowl wins + 2 more appearances and an MV," another person replied.
"He stunk up the game against the broncos with four turnovers and somehow came out of the offseason undisputed qb1 and first team all decade bro," a fan said.
Who has the edge?
Since the start of the 2020 season, Allen has completed 65.9% of his passes for 24,939 yards with 190 touchdowns and 73 interceptions. He also has 3,580 rushing yards and 62 rushing touchdowns over that six-year stretch.
Mahomes, on the other hand, has thrown for 26,527 yards with 191 touchdowns and 67 interceptions. Although he's not as productive on the ground (2,165 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns), he has won two Super Bowls in the past six years.
At the end of the day, Mahomes has to be considered the quarterback of the 2020s. After all, we've seen him shine in the biggest moments.
