Ranking NFC East teams by their starting quarterbacks
By Lucas Schuh
The NFC East is always one of the most highly contested divisions in the NFL but which team heads into the 2019 season with the best starting quarterback?
The Dallas Cowboys took home the title of NFC East champions in 2018 but ultimately lost in the Divisional Round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams. Entering 2019, the NFC East is up for grabs, especially with the moves made by the four teams this offseason to aid their starting quarterbacks and situation at the position in general.
Carson Wentz was chosen to lead the Philadelphia Eagles into the future. The Cowboys aided Dak Prescott with the addition of Randall Cobb. As for the Washington Redskins, the team made two quarterback moves: trading for Case Keenum and drafting Dwayne Haskins in the first round. Meanwhile, the New York Giants also looked to the draft, taking Daniel Jones as the assumed successor to Eli Manning.
All of these moves improve the quarterback situation for the four NFC East teams. However, we’ll be ranking these players not on what’s around them but by their skill and talent alone.
4. Eli Manning, New York Giants
Eli Manning used to be one of the better quarterbacks in the league and was for quite some time. Over his career, Manning has two Super Bowl MVPs from victories and has gone to four Pro Bowls. Over these past few years, though, it appears that Father Time has gotten the upper hand on Manning.
Manning has done what he can with the Giants in the latter part of his career but the results have not been quality. The veteran quarterback does not have the arm he once used to and struggles mightily these days throwing the deep ball.
People have made the argument that Manning does not have a good supporting cast around him, especially on the offensive line. Any shortcomings of the Giants offensive line are not untrue. However, they issues aren’t to the point where Manning can’t do anything because of defensive pressure and any problems are made worse by his lack of mobility.
The current plan for the Giants appears to be letting Manning remain the starter while Daniel Jones learns and develops early on in his career. Even at this point, Manning may have enough to be a serviceable option as a starter. The big question for Big Blue, though, is if Jones can be that or more like the front office is hoping he can be.