Just as the NFL prepares to crown its champion, a Cowboys icon is looking to strip several of the league’s top quarterbacks of their ‘elite’ status. The latest argument came from an NFL legend, sparking a strong reaction after sharing his views on elite quarterbacks, including Bills’ Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow, and why Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes stands alone at the top.

“It’s not like the elite quarterbacks made the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes is at home, Lamar Jackson is at home. Josh Allen. Joe Burrow.” The host said on the This Is Football podcast in a clip shared by Obi Wan Mahomie, before Emmitt Smith launched a scathing reply.

“Oh, it’s only one elite quarterback then. Patrick Mahomes,” Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith said.

During Super Bowl LX media week in New Orleans, Emmitt Smith appeared on Kevin Clark’s show, and the host mentioned how elite quarterbacks usually reach the Super Bowl. Smith immediately disagreed and challenged that idea.

Smith’s argument stemmed from the fact that marketing plays a big role in how quarterbacks are labeled. While Allen, Jackson, and Burrow put up strong numbers and win games, Smith believes championships matter most. Mahomes has multiple Super Bowl wins, while the others are still searching for their first.

Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen have consistently been ranked among the NFL’s top quarterbacks, and the numbers back it up. After the 2024 season, Jackson sat atop many QB rankings following a monster year with 45 touchdowns and just four interceptions. His dual-threat game had him widely regarded as the best signal-caller in football.

Burrow wasn’t far behind, with almost five thousand passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Allen also remained elite, winning the 2024 MVP with 28 passing TDs plus 12 rushing scores and consistently ranking near the top in 2025 evaluations alongside his peers.

Yet even with those elite resumes, Emmitt Smith insisted that only Patrick Mahomes truly deserves “elite” status. This take goes against the consensus among analysts who rank Jackson, Burrow, and Allen as top-five quarterbacks in the league.

Coming from Smith, the comments carried weight. He is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards, won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. For Smith, results define elite status, not hype.

But Smith didn’t just stop at that: he went on to explain why he felt that Josh Allen was not quite at that elite status just yet.

Emmitt Smith explains why Josh Allen still falls short of elite status

Emmitt Smith made his stance clear while discussing Josh Allen and the idea of elite quarterbacks. Speaking recently, the NFL legend said Allen had a real chance to lead the Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl but failed to seize the moment.

“First and foremost, Josh Allen had a chance to get his Buffalo Bills to the Super Bowl,” Smith said. “Yeah. You saw how he played. Elite quarterbacks rise up in extreme circumstances and leads his squad.”

Smith was pointing to the moment when Buffalo needed Allen the most. The Bills were close to reaching the Super Bowl but fell short again in the playoffs.

According to Smith, elite quarterbacks put the team on their backs. They make plays when others struggle and carry the group forward. That is why Smith believes Allen, despite his arm strength and athletic ability, has not yet reached that level.

Smith compared Allen’s situation to Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has already proven he can overcome pressure, injuries, and tough playoff moments. Smith said Mahomes defines the game, instead of letting the game define him.

Smith’s message was clear. Talent alone is not enough. Until quarterbacks like Allen turn deep playoff runs into championships, Smith believes the elite label belongs to those who deliver when seasons and legacies are decided.