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NFL Nation
The NFC East is jam-packed with storylines heading into the 2025 season.
The Philadelphia Eagles are reigning champs and have spent the previous a number of months making an attempt to determine the keys to sustained success. (Jalen Hurts even went to the GOAT searching for solutions.) One huge issue will likely be whether or not they can fend off the Washington Commanders, who went from also-rans to contenders briefly order beneath quarterback Jayden Daniels and coach Dan Quinn and now have the league’s consideration. The Dallas Cowboys are at all times within the highlight and may very well be poised for a step ahead themselves if the strikes they made this offseason shake out. Then there’s the New York Giants, a storied franchise that has been down within the dumps of late however enters with hopes revitalized after drafting quarterback Jaxson Dart within the first spherical.
Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Commanders reporter John Keim and Eagles reporter Tim McManus set the stage for what guarantees to be an intriguing season within the NFC East.
What’s on the road to your QB this season?
Eagles
Jalen Hurts needs to be like Mike. A spokesman for the Jordan model, Hurts frolicked with Michael Jordan this offseason. Hurts instructed he sought Jordan’s recommendation on what it takes to repeat as champions. “As aggressive as he’s, it could be unwise of me to not search data from him and lean on somebody like that. And in order that’s one thing I worth quite a bit,” Hurts mentioned. “The most important factor is taking it a day at a time. We’ve these targets and you’ve got these huge desires of what we need to accomplish, however in the end it is a journey.”
Hurts, the reigning Tremendous Bowl MVP, is on his fifth NFL playcaller following the departure of Kellen Moore. Kevin Patullo was promoted from passing sport coordinator and affiliate head coach to offensive coordinator. Patullo plans on maintaining the verbiage largely the identical, which ought to reduce the educational curve for Hurts this time round. “I have been right here with him since day one and it has been nice,” Patullo mentioned. “He is tremendous detailed in what he does and the largest factor with him is he at all times needs to get higher, and that is superior.” — Tim McManus
Commanders
What does Jayden Daniels do for an encore? Does he keep away from the so-called sophomore hunch or construct on the most effective rookie seasons and set up himself as an higher echelon QB? As a reminder: Daniels was the runaway selection for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months and completed seventh in MVP voting after throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He additionally ran for 891 yards and 6 extra scores. And, as Commanders coach Dan Quinn mentioned, it is not as in the event that they emptied their playbook final season.
This spring, Daniels regarded much more decisive, and coaches careworn the small print of his sport comparable to footwork. “You possibly can see the consolation stage was there this yr,” mentioned offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in late Could. “Simply watching him transfer round, he isn’t considering as a lot, he is taking part in quick and letting his pure items form of take over, and that is what we need to see. So, I anticipate him to take an enormous bounce.” — John Keim
Cowboys
Let’s begin with the apparent: Dak Prescott‘s job is not on the road.
The Cowboys signed him to an extension by way of 2028 in September that made him the highest-paid quarterback within the sport. There’s not an escape till possibly after the 2027 season. However the contract will likely be one thing Prescott must measure as much as in 2025. He turns 32 in July. Up to now 5 seasons, he has missed time with ankle, thumb, calf and hamstring accidents.
The Cowboys have chosen an offensive lineman within the first spherical of the previous two drafts. This yr, they added broad receiver George Pickens in a commerce. High receiver CeeDee Lamb is in his prime, and so they hope to see huge enchancment out of their run sport to assist Prescott. He’s getting into his tenth yr because the Cowboys starter. If he would not make a deep playoff run quickly, when will it occur? — Todd Archer
Giants
Russell Wilson already has the model, Tremendous Bowl and cash that the opposite quarterbacks within the division need. Now it is about salvaging and lengthening his profession. This may very well be Wilson’s final likelihood at a beginning gig with this being his fourth workforce in 5 years. It is the truth even when Wilson says he is strictly eager about “having success at this time” regardless of rookie Jaxson Dart ready within the wings. Dart had an up and down spring, however he is the job-saving card for head coach Brian Daboll and basic supervisor Joe Schoen ought to issues not go effectively with Wilson at any level this season. — Jordan Raanan
What has been essentially the most underrated transfer by your workforce?
Eagles
Drafting DT Ty Robinson within the fourth spherical. With minimal contact throughout OTA and minicamp practices, the offseason program is not precisely conducive to correctly evaluating linemen. However that hasn’t stopped a few of his new teammates from talking extremely of the Nebraska product. “That boy is fireplace, I ain’t going to lie,” DT Jalen Carter mentioned. “He is shifting good. He is an enormous boy. … I believe he will have a huge impact this season.”
Fellow D-lineman Jordan Davis added, “It is like he is been right here for years.” The Eagles want some inside gamers to step up after shedding Milton Williams to the New England Patriots in free company. Robinson, who completed with seven sacks, 13 tackles for loss and 4 passes defensed for the Cornhuskers final season, might very effectively issue into the rotation if he continues to impress this summer time. –– McManus
Commanders
Retaining their complete teaching workers. This could pay dividends this season and for the following a number of years. They’ve scheme continuity on either side of the ball. Defensively they spent the offseason digging into their points and tweaking a part of the scheme and preparation — having the entrance seven meet extra usually collectively than prior to now to enhance their run sport suits for instance.
However the largest plus will likely be on offense. Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s return after a season through which the Commanders had a top-10 offense in yards and factors means quarterback Jayden Daniels has the identical playcaller. Additionally, three of Washington’s offensive assistants interviewed for jobs elsewhere and all returned. Had Kingsbury remained however one or two of the others bolted, it could have tousled coach Dan Quinn’s potential succession plans, that are primarily based on his coordinator getting a head teaching job and others staying. Now Quinn’s plans stay intact, and the teaching Daniels receives will not change. — Keim
Cowboys
In contrast to 2024, the Cowboys really made numerous strikes. They traded for Pickens, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. and cornerback Kaiir Elam. They made some good signings in free company, which is the place I am heading, as a result of buying and selling for Pickens is not underrated. It is good. However not underrated. Bringing again Dante Fowler Jr. in free company is an underrated transfer. They wanted a move rusher reverse Micah Parsons. Whereas he performs a special sport than DeMarcus Lawrence, opposing offenses must know the place he’s too. He had 10.5 sacks final season for Washington and did not have somebody like Parsons on the opposite facet. In his earlier tenure with the Cowboys (2022-23), he totaled 10 sacks. If he can replicate what he did in 2024, then the Cowboys may have one of many higher move rushes within the sport. — Archer
Giants
Signing cornerback Paulson Adebo. He isn’t a family title however at the least provides the Giants a confirmed participant on the place. That is one thing they did not have final season, and it backfired within the worst means. Thrust into the No. 1 cornerback function by default, 2023 first-round choose Deonte Banks had a large number of a season, permitting six touchdowns as the closest defender, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Adebo’s arrival permits Banks to fall again right into a extra reasonable supporting function. And if that does not work out, Cor’Dale Flott, who has began 23 video games over the previous three seasons, can step into the lineup. The Giants have a considerably higher defensive backfield after the signing of Adebo and security Jevon Holland. It is going to be wanted with the groups on this division loaded at broad receiver. — Raanan
What’s the largest concern to your workforce?
Eagles
Turnover on protection. Vic Fangio noticed various key contributors exit this offseason together with Williams, cornerback Darius Slay Jr., security C.J. Gardner-Johnson and edge gamers Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. The Eagles might additionally begin the yr with out linebacker Nakobe Dean, who’s recovering from a torn patellar tendon.
Philadelphia introduced in a number of veterans like nook Adoree’ Jackson and edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche on one-year offers. Between that group, the rookie class and up-and-comers comparable to security Sydney Brown and cornerback Kelee Ringo, the hope is there may be sufficient expertise to maintain a excessive stage of play defensively in 2025 after ending because the top-ranked protection beneath Fangio final season. — McManus
Commanders
The protection — and this assumes that receiver Terry McLaurin doesn’t have a chronic holdout in coaching camp whereas searching for an extension. The Commanders’ protection was center of the pack for essentially the most half: thirteenth in yards per sport however 18th in scoring; third in passing yards per sport however thirtieth in dashing.
The run D was a serious situation, particularly towards Philadelphia, which ran for greater than 200 yards of their three conferences. The Commanders added measurement alongside their defensive position with Eddie Goldman, Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr. Will that be sufficient? It higher be as a result of, as finish Dorance Armstrong mentioned, “You possibly can’t cease the run, you possibly can’t win video games.”
The protection additionally must drive extra turnovers; they had been tied for twentieth with 17 takeaways and twenty sixth with solely seven interceptions. That is one cause they drafted nook Trey Amos, who intercepted three passes at Ole Miss final yr, within the second spherical. — Keim
Cowboys
A primary-time head coach is not the largest concern. A quarterback who has had a tough time staying wholesome just lately is not the largest concern. Impending contracts for guys like Parsons is not the largest concern. I am sticking on the sphere for mine: Can they decelerate the run? They haven’t made huge changes in personnel in title or measurement. How new coordinator Matt Eberflus will assault the problem is with effort and operating to the ball. It is going to additionally assist if the offense can put up a ton of factors so the opposing workforce cannot run the ball as a lot. Till the Cowboys really present they’ll include the run, it is going to be the largest concern. — Archer
Giants
The Giants had been thirty first in scoring final season (16.1 factors per sport) and introduced again 10 of 11 starters on offense. It is arduous to think about that an growing old Wilson is the reply for all their struggles the previous few years, however the Giants consider that higher quarterback play will make everyone — from the offensive line to the receivers to the operating sport — extra profitable. “It’s going to trickle down from there,” broad receiver Wan’Dale Robinson mentioned this spring.
The hope is that: Robinson will get to point out he is extra than simply a mean receiver; fellow receiver Malik Nabers takes his sport to the following stage; and tight finish Theo Johnson turns into a high-end participant — all due to higher quarterback play. — Raanan
Who wins the NFC East in 2025?
Eagles
Daniels is without doubt one of the greatest younger quarterbacks within the sport and the Commanders have upgraded the expertise round him. Washington defied expectation by making all of it the best way to the NFC Championship Recreation final season and needs to be taken significantly. That title sport, nonetheless, proved that Philadelphia was in a special class.
Whereas the hole between the 2 groups seems to have narrowed this offseason, the Eagles nonetheless have the expertise benefit and need to be the favorites heading into the yr. — McManus
Eagles
Philadelphia. Yet one more yr predicting a repeat winner in a division that hasn’t had one since 2004. However how do you go towards the Eagles at this level?
Sure, possibly one thing goes unsuitable however getting into the season it could be foolish to guess towards a workforce that dominated Kansas Metropolis to win the Tremendous Bowl. The Eagles nonetheless have a dynamic offense and a prime protection, regardless of shedding two starters alongside the road. Sure, Washington and Dallas might mount critical challenges — it is arduous to duplicate what the Eagles did in a troublesome division.
However the Commanders, who misplaced to the Eagles within the NFC Championship Recreation, should reply questions on protection — although they’ve the precise quarterback in Jayden Daniels — whereas the Cowboys have a first-time head coach and their very own questions. The Giants will likely be good defensively, however quarterback stays a serious situation. So till additional discover, it is the Eagles. — Keim
Eagles
We all know the historical past and historical past tells us it will not be the Eagles. The Giants have essentially the most climbing to do. The Cowboys had been 12-5 two seasons in the past, and when Prescott has been absolutely wholesome (or largely), they’ve been playoff contenders. Then there’s the Commanders. Will there be some regression in 12 months 2 with Dan Quinn? Will there be extra of a ebook on Daniels to decelerate the quarterback? In some unspecified time in the future historical past has to repeat itself, so I am sticking with the Eagles, regardless of the departures of some gamers and coaches. — Archer
Cowboys
Let’s get a bit loopy right here as a result of that is the current historical past of the NFC East. No, not the Giants. That hole is very large.
However since everyone seems to be down on the Cowboys this season, it solely is smart they shock and win the division. There’s nonetheless some high-end expertise on that roster and Dallas was good for at the least 12 wins every of the earlier three years that Prescott performed double-digit video games. So that is largely contingent on him being wholesome. However to rely the Cowboys out with Prescott probably having the most effective weapons of his profession appears foolish. They’ll shock. — Raanan