Training camp is just weeks away, and in the NFC East, every team enters with something to prove. The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl run, the Washington Commanders are riding a franchise quarterback breakthrough, the Dallas Cowboys are entering a new era, and the New York Giants… well, they’re hoping a strong draft class can at least put them in the fight.
From quarterback battles to rookie spotlights, here’s what we will be watching from the Giants’ rivals as the NFC East gets back to work.
Philadelphia Eagles
Still the gold standard—but there are cracks worth watching
The Eagles return much of the roster that won the NFC, but they’ll need to hold up against a brutal schedule and some key losses on defense. Gone are veterans like Darius Slay, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. That leaves more pressure on second-year standouts Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who were excellent as rookies but will now be asked to lead the secondary full-time.
Saquon Barkley is back after a career year, but how he holds up after 436 touches is a real concern. Kevin Patullo replaces Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator, and while the scheme likely won’t change dramatically, it’s always worth watching how a first-time play caller handles pressure.
Key losses: OC Kellen Moore**,** DT Milton Williams, DE Josh Sweat, CB Darius Slay, S CJ Gardner-Johnson, G Mekhi Becton, CB Isaiah Rogers, ILB Oren Burks, RB Kenneth Gainwell, DE Brandon Graham, CB James Bradberry
Key additions: OT Kenyon Green, Edge Azeez Ojulari, OLB Josh Uche, CB Adoree Jackson, T Kendall Lamm, RB AJ Dillon
Key Draft Picks: LB Jihaad Campbell, S Andrew Mukuba, DL Ty Robinson
Position battle to watch: Cornerback Kelee Ringo vs. the field for CB2. Ringo has the tools, but consistency is the question. Former Giant Adoree Jackson will be in the mix as well.
Breakout candidate: DT Moro Ojomo. Quietly productive in 2024, he’ll take on a larger role with Milton Williams gone.
Washington Commanders
Daniels changes everything—but the defense must hold
Jayden Daniels didn’t just win Offensive Rookie of the Year, he flipped the identity of the franchise. Now, the Commanders are looking to build on a 12-win season with a retooled offensive line, a new weapon in Deebo Samuel, and a deeper secondary. But it’s the defense that could make or break them.
Washington’s run defense was one of the league’s worst in 2024, but after ranking 30th in yards allowed, GM Adam Peters made stopping the run a top priority this offseason. The Commanders are banking on a revamped front and a more cohesive scheme under Joe Whitt Jr. to give Daron Payne the support he lacked last year. In the secondary, Marshon Lattimore is back to full health and will be the anchor. Rookie Trey Amos could see early playing time if he impresses in camp.
Key losses: DT Jonathan Allen, WR Dyami Brown, S Jeremy Chinn, DE Dante Fowler Jr, T Cornelius Lucas, CB Benjamin St-Juste
Key additions: T Laremy Tunsil, DT Javon Kinlaw, S Will Harris, WR Deebo Samuel, CB Jonathan Jones, K Matt Gay, OLB Jake Martin, T Laremy Tunsil
Key draft picks: T Josh Conerly, CB Tre Amos, WR Jalin Lane
Position battle to watch: CB2
Tariq Castro-Fields and Amos are both getting early reps behind Lattimore.
Breakout candidate: Brian Robinson Jr. Healthy again, Robinson could flirt with 1,200 yards behind an upgraded line.
Dallas Cowboys
New coach, new scheme, same questions in the backfield
Brian Schottenheimer takes over as head coach with a mission to revive Dallas’ identity. There’s still plenty of talent on this roster with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson giving this passing game plenty to work with. But the Cowboys didn’t solve their biggest issue from last year: the run game.
Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, and rookie Jaydon Blue headline what looks like a full-blown committee approach. The offensive line is expected to be healthier, which helps, but unless someone claims the RB1 job convincingly, this team could stay one-dimensional.
Defensively, the hope is that coordinator Matt Eberflus can return the unit to form, and the team is counting on second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku to step up following the departure of DeMarcus Lawrence.
Key losses: Coach Mike McCarthy, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, CB Jourdan Louis, WR Brandin Cooks, DE Chauncey Golston, T Chuma Edoga, QB Cooper Rush, ILB Eric Kendricks, DT Linvale Joseph
Key additions: Coach Brian Shottenheimer, DE Solomon Thomas, DE Dante Fowler Jr., G Robert Jones, RB Javonte Williams, DE Payton Turner, LB Jack Sanborn, WR George Pickens
Key Draft Picks: G Tyler Booker, Edge Donavan Ezeiruaku, CB Shavon Revel, RB Jaydon Blue
Position battle to watch: RB1
Williams has the experience, but Blue’s burst has caught the attention of coaches early.
Breakout candidate: Jake Ferguson. Healthy again and entering a contract year, he’s been Dak’s most reliable red zone option all offseason.