NFL coaches, execs rate Dak Prescott as Tier 2 QB. Are they underrating him?

The annual NFL quarterback tier list from The Athletic is out, and it rates Dallas Cowboys quarterback lower than people may expect. 

The yearly column details the results of a poll of over 50 NFL executives and coaches. They rank the top-30 NFL quarterbacks in four tiers. This season, only three quarterbacks made Tier 1. 

Prescott, who led one of the most explosive passing offenses in the NFL last season, was not included in that elite first group. 

Here is a look at the top-10 quarterbacks listed in the NFL quarterback tiers column: 

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (Tier 1)Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Tier 1)Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (Tier 1)Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (Tier 2)Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (Tier 2)Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (Tier 2)Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets (Tier 2)C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (Tier 2)Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (Tier 2)Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (Tier 2)Cowboys fans may take umbrage with this ranking. 

After all, Prescott is coming off an outstanding season throwing the ball for the Cowboys. In 2023, Dallas’ quarterback was third in the NFL in passing yards (4,516), had the highest completion percentage of any starting quarterback in the NFL (69.5%), threw more touchdowns (36) than anyone else, and he had the second-best QB rating in the league. 

So why do NFL coaches and executives feel Prescott isn’t worthy of a Tier 1 ranking?

Hear it in their own words:

“Dak can roll out of bed and throw for 450,” an offensive play caller said. “It’s unbelievable. It’s just those moments in the playoffs against the Niners or Packers where, if you want to be Tier 1, one of these times you’re going to have to put that team on your back and will your team to a win.”

Another coach, who didn’t even rate Prescott as a Tier-2 quarterback, also highlighted postseason play:

“I have always given Dak a 2,” a defensive coordinator said. “When I did it this year, I gave him a 3. He proves year in and year out that he cannot get it done (in the postseason).”

Honestly, that’s a totally fair commentary on Prescott’s game. He has been brilliant in the regular season, but his postseason play has been sketchy, at best. 

One thing we know for certain is that Prescott must continue to escalate his game in 2024 if the Cowboys are going to chase their championship aspirations. If he does, you can bet national respect will be forthcoming.