No division in football history has ever shown the need for a competent backup quarterback than the NFC East.
The collection of the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders have won Super bowls three separate times with a backup quarterback who did not start the season as the de facto QB1 on the roster. Depending on how you view the Cowboys 1971 Super Bowl team, that number increases to four.
In short, backup quarterbacks are important in the division.
It's why Washington is sitting pretty with their situation over any other signal-caller in the division.
Jayden Daniels is the face of the Commanders franchise. No one would question otherwise - especially after his historic rookie season. Washington also has a quality veteran backup in Marcus Mariota they can rely on should anything happen to Daniels.
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The same cannot be said for the rest of their division rivals.
The Giants brought in an interception machine in Jameis Winston to be the backup to Russell Wilson. The Eagles traded away Kenny Pickett to promote former sixth-round pick Tanner McKee to the immediate backup role.
And now, the Cowboys have traded for former Patriots top backup Joe Milton. While Milton looked very strong in the preseason last year, there is no guarantee he can be as quality of a backup as Cooper Rush once was.
By default, Mariota should clear as the best backup quarterback in the NFC East.
And while the Commanders hope they'll never have to see him, it's an easy bet to assume it's better to have the top backup in the division than being in need of one.
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This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM.