The quarterback debate in the NFC rarely stays quiet for long, but a recent ranking has stirred fresh controversy. When a Super Bowl champion unveiled his latest list, one notable absence immediately caught attention.
The omission raised new questions about respect, perception, and how success is truly measured among the conference’s elite quarterbacks today.
Chris Canty Leaves Dak Prescott Outside NFC Elite Conversation
Speaking on ESPN’s “First Take,” Super Bowl 46 champion Chris Canty revealed his top five NFC quarterbacks, crediting several stars while leaving out Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott entirely.
Canty framed his list as a response to Ryan Clark’s claim that many NFC quarterbacks outperform Sam Darnold. He then ranked Matthew Stafford first, followed by Jayden Daniels, Darnold, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams.
Canty praised each selection with specific reasoning. He highlighted Stafford’s MVP-level production and playoff consistency, described Daniels as one of the conference’s most talented dual-threat quarterbacks, and emphasized Darnold’s winning record with a stable franchise.
Hurts’ postseason pedigree and Williams’ growing playmaking ability rounded out the list. The ranking, however, made no mention of Prescott, a decision that quickly stood out given his prominence in Dallas.
No Jordan Love. No Jared Goff. No Dak Prescott. @ChrisCanty99 shares his top five QBs in the NFC. 👀 pic.twitter.com/0RNIWq6Vi4
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 10, 2026
While Canty focused strictly on performance and results, support for Prescott continues to come strongly from inside NFL locker rooms.
Former Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz, now with the Houston Texans, offered a powerful defense of Prescott during an interview with Bobby Belt, Shan Shariff, and RJ Choppy on 105.3 The Fan during Super Bowl week.
“Dude, people don’t understand what a quarterback can do for a program when you have as much integrity and as much leadership as he does. Truly, galvanizing to an entire franchise. And, like, obviously, that will never truly come through unless you’ve been in a locker room with him,” Schultz said.
Schultz emphasized that Prescott’s influence extends beyond statistics or public perception. He described Prescott’s leadership, energy, and consistency as defining traits that outsiders often fail to see.
According to Schultz, Prescott’s daily preparation and personal example create a lasting impact inside a team environment, something not always captured in rankings or debates.
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The former Cowboys’ tight end also credited Prescott for shaping his own development. Schultz explained that Prescott believed in him before he fully believed in himself, suggesting the quarterback’s leadership directly contributed to his growth into a productive NFL starter.
Across eight seasons, Schultz has recorded 405 receptions for 4,066 yards and 27 touchdowns, far exceeding expectations for a fourth-round pick out of Stanford. The contrast between Canty’s performance-based ranking and Schultz’s leadership-driven praise highlights a broader divide in how quarterbacks are evaluated.
Public discussions often prioritize wins, statistics, and awards, while teammates frequently value leadership, preparation, and influence inside the locker room.
Canty’s list on “First Take” reflects one perspective rooted in results, but Schultz’s comments on 105.3 The Fan reinforce why Prescott continues to command deep respect among those who have played alongside him. Together, the two viewpoints reveal an ongoing debate that remains far from settled.
