The 2016 Quarterback Class: Who Ya Paying?

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Last week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz got P-A-I-D. In a contract extension that guarantees him $107M, the Eagles locked down their signal caller through 2024. If it reaches its max value, it’ll only cost ’em a cool $128M. It’s hard to believe that it’s already come time for discussions such as this. It feels like only yesterday we were debating the merits of whether or not the Los Angeles Rams should take Jared Goff first overall. Yet, here we are – the first quarterback from the 2016 quarterback class has seen his original rookie deal through.

And, for good reason, mind you. It’s hard to find a franchise quarterback who can genuinely effect games in the NFL. Wentz is that quarterback. In 2017, he was playing at MVP levels – 3,296, 33 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, the NFC East Championship, and a record of 11-2. Unfortunately, Wentz tore his ACL and was cooked for the year. That’s when the legend of Nick Foles grew and the Eagles won the Super Bowl.

In 2018, Wentz only played in 11 games due to a back injury, but put up good numbers when he was in games – 3,074 yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 102.2.

But, it shows just what a precious commodity a franchise quarterback is in this league. The Eagles have faith that Wentz’s extensive injury history isn’t going to be an issue moving forward….so much so that they literally put $107M on the line.

It sure looks like Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is next in line from that 2016 quarterback class to get a big pay day. His rookie deal is up in 2020. A lot of analysts are projecting Prescott to get paid in the $30M/year range. In 2021, Goff’s rookie contract will be up, and he’ll hit the market as well.

What didn’t look like a strong quarterback class three years ago – remember, Goff was labeled bust material, Wentz had plenty of ‘level of competition’ criticism, and Prescott was a 4th round pick – suddenly looks like one of the best quarterback classes of the last decade. In fact, I’d put it up there just under 2012’s class of Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Nick Foles, Kirk Cousins, and Robert Griffin III.

The last two NFC Champions have featured quarterbacks from this 2016 trio. Wentz didn’t play in the Super Bowl, but he damn sure helped his team get there. Goff did play in last year’s Super Bowl. Prescott isn’t too far behind, at the helm for two Dallas Cowboys NFC East Championships in his three years in the league.

So, it begs the question: which of these three is worth the most money? If you’re building a franchise right now, who do you give the big contract to and build your team around?

This might sound crazy, but I’m ruling out Goff right away. I still think there’s a chance that Goff is a product of the Sean McVay miracle program. That offense is as prolific as they come, but if you look at how bad Goff was as a rookie, it makes me think his success is more about the coach and not the player.

It’s between Prescott and Wentz, and I tend to lean Prescott. I don’t like Wentz’s injury history – it’s the fact that it’s multiple, different injuries that I’m hung up on. Give me the guy who hasn’t missed a game, whose teammates love him, and who has two division championships in three years. Everywhere he’s been, Prescott has been a winner – he has the pedigree of a leader and of a champion, and THAT is the kind of player I’d want to build around.

We saw reports out of Philly that some members of the Eagles roster actually preferred Foles to Wentz. On paper, he may look immensely more talented than Prescott, but Wentz’s long-term availability is a huge question mark.

And, let’s not act like Prescott is void of talent either. He threw for 3,885 yards, 22 touchdowns (to eight interceptions), and had a completion percentage of 67.7%. In an offense that’s built around a stout offensive line and elite run game, that ain’t too shabby.

Prescott is the best combination of talent, reliability, and leadership skills of the three. Give him all the money.

What do you guys think? Who are you paying out of this trio? Let me know in the comments.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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