As Josh Allen continues to establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, a new milestone has further solidified his place among the league’s elite. In a stunning display of performance, Allen has now surpassed legendary quarterback Tom Brady in one of the most telling metrics of quarterback play: Total QBR (Quarterback Rating).

While the comparison between Allen and Brady has often seemed like a lofty one, Allen’s recent achievement of outpacing the seven-time Super Bowl champion in QBR is a statement of his growth, his evolving skill set, and his undeniable impact on the Buffalo Bills’ offense.

What Is Total QBR?

Before diving into the implications of this milestone, it’s important to understand what Total QBR represents. Developed by ESPN, Total QBR measures a quarterback’s overall effectiveness in a game, factoring in not only traditional statistics like passing yards and touchdowns, but also more nuanced elements such as situational performance, clutch moments, and the ability to sustain drives.

Unlike passer rating, which is more of a basic calculation based on completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions, Total QBR provides a more holistic view of a quarterback’s performance, taking into account how well they perform in crucial situations and how much they contribute to their team’s success in real-time.

Josh Allen vs. Tom Brady: A Changing of the Guard?

As of the 2024 season, Josh Allen has managed to surpass Tom Brady in Total QBR—a feat that’s especially remarkable considering Brady’s unparalleled legacy. Known for his clutch performances and unmatched consistency over two decades, Brady’s ability to execute in big moments made him the standard against which all quarterbacks were measured. However, Allen’s rise has been swift, powered by his incredible arm strength, mobility, and unique ability to extend plays.

Through the first few seasons of his career, Allen was often seen as a raw talent, someone with the physical tools but needing refinement. However, as time has passed, he has become a more polished and strategic player. His ability to make plays not only with his arm but also with his legs has made him a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses. With the way Allen has played in recent seasons, especially during high-pressure moments, it’s clear that he’s ready to take on the mantle as one of the best quarterbacks of his era.

This season, Allen’s Total QBR has surpassed Brady’s career average, a testament to his growing ability to deliver when the game is on the line. His development as a passer, along with his ability to turn scrambles into big plays, has made him one of the most dangerous and unpredictable quarterbacks in the NFL. Allen’s blend of size, strength, and athleticism creates a unique dynamic that Brady, known for his precision and field awareness, never had.

Allen’s Playoff Performances Boosting His Case

What truly sets Allen apart from Brady, and where he may have an edge in Total QBR, is his performance in the postseason. While Brady’s playoff success is the stuff of legend, Allen’s recent playoff outings have been nothing short of spectacular. He has demonstrated the ability to rise to the occasion, often facing some of the toughest defenses in the NFL and making plays under the most intense pressure.

In particular, Allen’s performances in shootouts, such as his playoff matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 season, showed just how well he can perform in back-and-forth, high-scoring games. His ability to put up big numbers while still executing clutch moments, including rushing touchdowns and deep passes under duress, has made him an absolute force in January football.

Brady, while undeniably a master of the big game and arguably the greatest postseason quarterback in NFL history, never had the same kind of dual-threat ability. In that regard, Allen’s dynamic style of play gives him an edge in this modern-day metric of quarterback effectiveness.

The Bills’ Offensive Revolution

Under Allen’s leadership, the Buffalo Bills have transformed into one of the NFL’s most potent offenses, capable of putting up huge yardage and scoring quickly. Head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey have designed an offense that takes full advantage of Allen’s skills, allowing him to operate from a variety of different formations and make quick decisions in a spread offense.

Allen’s development as a quarterback has also been supported by an improving receiving corps, led by Stefon Diggs, who has emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the league. The Bills’ offense has become one of the most dangerous in the NFL, and Allen’s ability to not only throw the ball deep but also keep defenses on edge with his mobility has forced defensive coordinators to rethink how they prepare for Buffalo.

What’s Next for Josh Allen?

With the 2024 season still unfolding, there’s plenty of room for Allen to add to his already impressive resume. Surpassing Tom Brady in Total QBR is a significant accomplishment, but it is not the end of the road. For Allen to further cement his place among the NFL’s all-time greats, he will need to continue to elevate his play in the postseason and ultimately win a Super Bowl. This has always been Brady’s signature, and Allen’s ability to guide the Bills to their first championship would likely propel him into the conversation as one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

In many ways, Allen’s ability to continue to improve and adapt to different situations on the field will determine how his legacy is remembered. As of now, though, it’s clear that Allen is firmly entrenched as one of the league’s most exciting quarterbacks and, with his recent milestone, has officially entered the conversation as the next big name in the NFL quarterback hierarchy.

For Bills fans, the future looks incredibly bright with Allen leading the charge. If he continues his ascent, surpassing Brady in Total QBR might just be the first of many milestones in a career that could one day be regarded among the greatest in NFL history.