The debate over the top quarterbacks in the NFC sparked new controversy when Super Bowl 46 champion Chris Canty revealed his latest top five list, excluding Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott entirely. The list, presented on ESPN’s First Take, prompted questions about how quarterbacks are evaluated across the conference, highlighting differing opinions on leadership, performance, and influence.
Canty responded to Ryan Clark’s statements claiming many NFC quarterbacks outperform Sam Darnold by naming his top quarterbacks in the NFC. His ranking placed Matthew Stafford at the top, followed by Jayden Daniels, Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts, and Caleb Williams. Prescott was notably absent from the lineup, despite his reputation and role with the Cowboys.
Reasons Behind the Selected NFC Quarterbacks
Each quarterback on Canty’s list was praised for particular strengths. Stafford was credited with MVP-level performance and steady playoff appearances, while Daniels earned recognition as a highly skilled dual-threat quarterback. Darnold’s winning record with a more stable team earned him a place, and Canty pointed to Hurts’ postseason success and Williams’ expanding playmaking skills as reasons for their inclusion. Prescott, however, received no mention, a choice that caught many fans and analysts off guard.
The absence was noted on social media, with First Take tweeting a clip highlighting the omission:
“No Jordan Love. No Jared Goff. No Dak Prescott. @ChrisCanty99 shares his top five QBs in the NFC. 👀”
This comment underscored the surprise around the decision to leave Prescott out.
Teammates Defend Prescott’s Leadership Behind the Scenes
While Canty’s assessment leaned heavily on performance and results, support for Prescott remains strong from current and former players within the NFL community. Dalton Schultz, a former Cowboys tight end now with the Houston Texans, spoke highly of Prescott during a Super Bowl Week interview on 105.3 The Fan, emphasizing qualities that extend beyond statistics.
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 highlighted Prescott’s leadership, energy, and consistency as attributes that often go unnoticed by outsiders. He credited Prescott’s daily preparation and example-setting as critical factors shaping the locker room environment, elements that rankings based purely on numbers may fail to capture.
Schultz’s Perspective and Prescott’s Impact on Player Development
Beyond team morale, Schultz described how Prescott’s leadership personally influenced his growth as a player. Schultz explained that Prescott believed in his potential early on, which helped Schultz build confidence and eventually become a productive NFL starter. Over eight seasons, Schultz recorded 405 receptions, 4,066 yards, and 27 touchdowns, a substantial achievement for a fourth-round pick from Stanford.
The contrast between Canty’s results-driven approach and Schultz’s emphasis on leadership exemplifies a broader debate within NFL circles. Public conversations often center around metrics like wins, statistics, and individual honors, whereas teammates place high value on intangibles like preparation, mentorship, and influence behind the scenes.
The Ongoing Debate Over Dak Prescott’s NFC Standing
Ultimately, Canty’s list reflects one prominent viewpoint focused on measurable success, but endorsements like Schultz’s demonstrate why Prescott maintains deep respect within NFL locker rooms. This tension underscores how quarterback rankings remain a complex and contested topic, illustrating that prescriptive lists may only capture part of a player’s true impact.
As discussions continue around the Dak Prescott NFC snub, the differing opinions signal that evaluations of quarterbacks are unlikely to settle soon. Both statistical accomplishments and leadership qualities will continue to shape how these players are judged by analysts, fans, and peers alike.
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
This is well worth your 2 minutes today…
We talked to Dalton Schultz at Super Bowl Radio Row, and he gave one of the best answers you'll ever hear about what makes Dak Prescott special.
Full interview with @1053SS and @rjchoppy tomorrow on @1053thefan: pic.twitter.com/potu69tIsF
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) February 9, 2026
