Stephen A. Smith did not hold back when he criticized Cam Newton and Michael Irvin for their stance on Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts. The outspoken ESPN analyst made it clear that he strongly disagreed with the way the former NFL players ranked Prescott over Hurts, who is not only a proven star but also the current Super Bowl MVP.
The debate around Dak Prescott and Jalen Hurts has long divided NFL analysts and fans, as both quarterbacks carry significant weight for their respective teams. Recently, Newton and Irvin joined Smith on First Take to weigh in on the subject, and their opinions clashed almost instantly with his.
Different views between Smith, Newton, and Irvin
According to Firstsportz, Newton and Irvin questioned Hurts’s value and leaned heavily toward Prescott. They argued that Jerry Jones gave Dak Prescott $60 million for a reason—a decision they believed reflected the Dallas Cowboys quarterback’s greater value compared to Hurts.
Smith fired back immediately. “Something is wrong with you,” he said bluntly. “I don’t care how much money he makes. Something is wrong with both of you. Are you seriously sitting here comparing a Super Bowl champion, a Super Bowl MVP, who has played in two of the last three Super Bowls, who has won 18 straight games, to someone who hasn’t even won more than two playoff games in 10 years? What’s wrong with you all?”
Holy Sh*t: Stephen A. Smith went OFF on Cam Newton and Michael Irvin for saying they would take Dak Prescott over Jalen Hurts.
Smith absolutely cooked both of them 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/z1YhEYiD6G— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 30, 2025
His passionate response underscored his view that Jalen Hurts stands far above Dak Prescott in terms of accomplishments. For Smith, the case is simple: Hurts’s track record speaks for itself. He has already established himself as a consistent winner, while Prescott’s career continues to raise questions about his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
Smith’s stance reflects what many fans and analysts believe—that Hurts deserves recognition not only for his numbers but for his leadership and ability to perform under pressure. To Smith, there is no valid comparison between Hurts and Prescott, and he made sure Newton and Irvin understood that in front of a national audience.
