Prescott, Hurts, Howell, & Jones: Ranking the NFC East quarterbacks

With less than four months until the first games of the 2023 season, many fans desperately await. With the 2023 NFL draft now behind us, many fans anticipate what their favorite team’s 53-man roster will look like.

Some teams have uncertainty with the quarterback position. Teams such as the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback decision will likely come down to the wire.

Thankfully for the NFC East, the quarterback position is certain.

We know the Dallas Cowboys will go with two-time Pro Bowler Quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott threw a career-high 15 interceptions last season.

This career high may have been an anomaly, however, Prescott will remain the starter. While some fans wanted a change of scenery at quarterback, there’s no denying that Prescott is the best option.

The New York Giants just signed Daniel Jones to a four-year extension worth 160 million dollars.

The four-year quarterback is coming off a career low in interceptions thrown. After much speculation before the start of the 2022 season, the Giants finally have their franchise quarterback.

The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a sensational year. The Eagles would find themselves in the Super Bowl, however, they fell short as they met their match against the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.

After finishing off with a career-high in touchdowns, Jalen Hurts netted a five-year extension with the Eagles. Along with contract incentives, this deal finds itself worth about 255 million dollars.

The Washington Commanders will most likely turn to second-year quarterback, Sam Howell.

Many Dallas Cowboys fans will remember Howell, as he led the Commanders to a victory against Dallas last year.

In the season finale against Dallas, this was Howell’s only start and game played.

He threw for 169 yards with one touchdown and one interception. This was enough for Head Coach Ron Rivera to thrust Howell’s name into QB1 talks during the Commanders’ search for an offensive coordinator.

Now that the quarterbacks are mentioned, here comes the fun part. Ranking them.

The ranks will go by stats, as well as offensive weapons available.

4th Place — Sam Howell

Coming in at fourth is Sam Howell.

The second-year quarterback from the University of North Carolina is just simply unproven still. He showed flashes of promising plays in his one-game start, however, that was just a small sample size.

His collegiate stats are impressive. In his three-year college career, Howell threw 92 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

He had a career passer rating of 164.2.

This was the reason why he was talked about being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, he ended up falling in the fourth to the Commanders.

3rd Place — Daniel Jones

The hiring of Head Coach Brian Daboll was hugely helpful for Danny Dimes. In Daboll’s first year as head coach, the New York Giants finished 9-7-1 and won a playoff game.

Jones saw a career-high in percentages of passes completed, as well as a career low in interceptions thrown.

Under Daboll’s guidance, Jones will most likely progress.

The addition of Tight End Darren Waller will be huge for Jones. Drafting Wide Receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round could end up being a good sleeper pick.

The Battle between first and second could interchange. Overall, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has had a better career than Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts.

2nd Place — Jalen Hurts

There’s no denying Hurts is coming off an amazing year.

Hurts threw a career-high 22 touchdowns and boasted a career-high passer rating of 101.5%.

The Eagles retained most of their team, however, they did lose Offensive Coordinator Shane Steichen. The Eagles promoted Quarterback Coach Brian Johnson to fill the void at offensive coordinator.

Being the number one seed in the NFC, the Eagles will have the toughest schedule.

Regression is more likely to happen than progression.

1st Place — Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott threw a career-high 15 interceptions in the 2022 season. Before last season his career high came by way of his sophomore season where Prescott threw 13 interceptions.

Last season Prescott battled a thumb injury that sidelined him for five games.

CeeDee Lamb was his only receiving weapon as Michael Gallup was a shell of himself coming off an ACL Injury.

With Head Coach Mike McCarthy set to run the offense after the departure of former Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore, the new play-calling should bring fresh life to Prescott.

Dallas also traded for Wide Receiver Brandin Cooks. Cooks will look to help out Lamb and Gallup.

As the season gets closer, the anticipation is grand. We will see who ends up where on the totem pole of NFC East quarterback rankings soon enough.