5 Greatest Quarterbacks in NFC East History

Jason Schandl
The greatest quarterbacks in NFC East history, including Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb.
The greatest quarterbacks in NFC East history, including Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb. / Hunter Martin/Getty Images
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The NFC East is always one of the most hotly contested divisions in football, with rivalries running deep between all four teams. The Philadelphia Eagles are the most recent champions, the Dallas Cowboys are favored to take the crown in 2020, and the Washington Redskins and New York Giants have both won the division within the last decade.

All four franchises have been led by some great quarterbacks over the years, and here are the five best quarterbacks in NFC East history.

Note: This does not include the Arizona Cardinals, who were in the NFC East until the division realignment in 2002.

5. Sammy Baugh (1937-1952)

Sammy Baugh is the greatest quarterback in Washington Redskins history.
Sammy Baugh is the greatest quarterback in Washington Redskins history. / Nate Fine/Getty Images

It can be hard to compare across eras, but this list would not be complete without Washington's Sammy Baugh. "Slingin Sammy" led the NFL in passing yards four times and in completion percentage eight times in his 16-year career, leading Washington to two NFL championships (1937, 1942).

4. Donovan McNabb (1999-2009)

Donovan McNabb is the greatest quarterback in Eagles history.
Donovan McNabb is the greatest quarterback in Eagles history. / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Eagles' all-time leader in a ton of passing stats, nobody in Philly history has thrown for more yards (32,873) or touchdowns (216) than McNabb. He also led the Eagles to the postseason eight times in his 10 years as a starter, making six Pro Bowls.

3. Eli Manning, New York Giants (2004-2019)

Eli Manning is the greatest quarterback in Giants history.
Eli Manning is the greatest quarterback in Giants history. / Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Eli Manning had an up-and-down NFL career, no doubt, but he finished with some seriously impressive accolades. He has two Super Bowl MVP awards to his name, both over the New England Patriots dynasty, and he's the Giants' all-time leader in passing yards (57,023) and touchdowns (366). Say what you want about his down years, but Eli is the greatest quarterback in Giants history.

2. Roger Staubach (1969-1979)

Roger Staubach is one of the best quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboys history.
Roger Staubach is one of the best quarterbacks in Dallas Cowboys history. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Roger Staubach was easily the Cowboys' greatest quarterback of all time when he retired in 1979, and some would still argue for him in the top spot. A two-time Super Bowl winner (with one Super Bowl MVP award), Staubach threw for 22,700 yards and 153 touchdowns while leading the cowboys to an 85-29 record.

1. Troy Aikman, Dallas Cowboys (1989-2000)

Troy Aikman is the best NFC East quarterback of all time.
Troy Aikman is the best NFC East quarterback of all time. / Brian Bahr/Getty Images

One-upping Staubach, Troy Aikman won three Super Bowl rings with one MVP award, also beating him out in both passing yards (32,942) and touchdowns (165). Aikman made six straight Pro Bowls from 1991 to 1996, leading the Cowboys through one of the most successful periods in franchise history.


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Jason Schandl is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Jason Schandl also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username Jaymun. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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