In a recent discussion on his YouTube show “4th and 1 with Cam Newton,” former NFL MVP Cam Newton shared his thoughts on current quarterbacks, giving Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott the nod over several of his contemporaries, including Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert.
Newton emphasized Prescott’s value, advocating for the Cowboys quarterback to receive fair compensation and asserting that the team’s shortcomings aren’t solely his fault. When ranking quarterbacks, Newton placed Prescott ahead of Herbert, Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Trevor Lawrence. However, he ranked Prescott behind top-tier talents like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Jared Goff.
Dak Prescott, 30, holds a more extensive NFL tenure compared to Herbert, having been drafted in 2016, four years prior to Herbert’s entry in 2020. Prescott’s career includes three Pro Bowl selections and one NFL season leading in touchdown passes, whereas Herbert has one Pro Bowl nod and a single season surpassing 5,000 passing yards.
Both quarterbacks claimed the Offensive Rookie of the Year title in their debut seasons, but their playoff appearances diverge significantly. Prescott has participated in five postseasons, benefiting early in his career from a strong team performance, particularly from the running game.
Conversely, Herbert has made a singular playoff appearance. Nevertheless, Herbert’s shorter career means he still has time to close the gap in achievements and reputation.
Despite Newton’s preference for Prescott at this stage, opinions vary widely across the NFL, with some analysts and coaches, including Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, showing a strong preference for Herbert. Harbaugh’s endorsement and successful coaching history suggest Herbert may yet ascend to the upper echelons of NFL quarterbacks.
As Newton’s viewpoints spark debate, the ongoing development of both quarterbacks will be intriguing to watch, with the potential for Herbert to surpass expectations under Harbaugh’s mentor and potentially shift the current quarterback rankings in the NFL.
