The NFC not only has the reigning Super Bowl champions in the Seattle Seahawks, but the conference is full of teams that are a smart move or two away from dethroning the Seahawks as the NFL’s top dog.
The Philadelphia Eagles could easily get back to the mountaintop, as could the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. And that doesn’t even include all four franchises in the NFC North, which are a good acquisition and draft away from being a contender if they can stay healthy in 2026.
With free agency beginning next week take a look at every NFC team’s roster needs, cap space, and a breakdown of what might be on the horizon for that particular team.
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys
Issues: The Cowboys restructured a number of contracts to balance the books, putting Dallas in position to improve the roster. Dallas used the franchise tag to keep receiver George Pickens from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but that’s merely a Band-Aid.
Cap space: $9.8 million
Team needs: Edge, CB, LB, S, OL
New York Giants
Issues: The Giants have a strong young nucleus in Malik Nabers, Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Dexter Lawrence and Abdul Carter, but the rest of the roster needs to be overhauled, especially the defense.
Cap space: $9.8 million
Team needs: WR, OL, CB, LB, DL
Philadelphia Eagles
Issues: The Eagles are shopping A.J. Brown with the goal of unloading the mercurial receiver for a first-round pick. The expectation is that Philadelphia will also lose tight end Dallas Goedert and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips in free agency.
Cap space: $12.5 million
Team needs: Edge, CB, TE, OL, S
Washington Commanders
Issues: The Commanders have a couple of important free agents in Deebo Samuel, offensive lineman Chris Jones, inside linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz.
Cap space: $70 million
Team needs: Edge, WR, LB, CB, TE
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears
Issues: The Bears traded receiver D.J. Moore to Buffalo, and are releasing inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to clear cap space, but that’s removing the heartbeat of Chicago’s defense.
Cap space: $8.2 million
Team needs: S, DL, CB, Edge, OL
Detroit Lions
Issues: The Lions traded tailback David Montgomery and released left tackle Taylor Decker, which hints that Detroit is undergoing a soft rebuild. Fifteen of the Lions free agents are on defense.
Cap space: Minus $6.5 million
Team needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S
Green Bay Packers
Issues: The Packers will refresh the offensive line since both left tackle Rasheed Walker and center Elgton Jenkins could be replaced with younger, cheaper options.
Cap space: $4.3 million
Team needs: CB, OL, DL, LB, Edge
Minnesota Vikings
Issues: J.J. McCarthy had a brutal first season as Minnesota’s starting quarterback, and it would benefit the Vikings to upgrade that position with a veteran who is more polished since the Vikings championship window is closing.
Cap space: $20 million over the cap
Team needs: S, CB, OL, WR, LB
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons
Issues: Michael Penix Jr. sustained a season-ending knee injury last November, and might not be ready for training camp. It doesn’t help the process that Kirk Cousins will be released in the coming days, becoming an unrestricted free agent. Placing the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts severely handcuffs what the Falcons can do this offseason.
Cap space: $8 million
Team needs: DL, WR, CB, LB, Edge
Carolina Panthers
Issues: Carolina must address the center and inside linebacker spots this offseason. Rico Dowdle, who rushed for 1,000-plus yards for the second straight season, could land a starting role via free agency. So don’t expect him to return to Carolina.
Cap space: $9 million
Team needs: OL, Edge, LB, S, WR
New Orleans Saints
Issues: While Derek Carr has flirted with coming out of retirement, the quarterback’s rights belong to the Saints, and any interested teams would have to make a deal with New Orleans. Pass rusher Cameron Jordan, who has tallied 132 sacks in his 15 seasons with the Saints, is an unrestricted free agent, coming off a 10.5-sack season.
Cap space: $11.6 million over the cap
Team needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, DL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Issues: The Buccaneers are at a crossroads with Baker Mayfield, who is slated to make $28 million in the final year of the three-year contract he signed in 2024. If Tampa doesn’t extend Mayfield he could request a trade. The Buccaneers must also figure out the right approach to handle wide receiver Mike Evans as a free agent.
Cap space: $99 million
Team needs: Edge, LB, TE, CB, OL
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals
Issues: The Cardinals plan to release quarterback Kyler Murray as a June 1 release and replace him with a veteran (word on the street is Arizona’s a front-runner for Mailk Willis), or a draft prospect. The alternative is going with Jacoby Brissett again.
Cap space: $20 million
Team needs: QB, OL, S, RB, Edge
Los Angeles Rams
Issues: Acquiring cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs addresses one of the Rams’ most pressing need. But it doesn’t help that safety Kam Curl and receiver Tutu Atwell are both unrestricted free agents expected to sign with the highest bidders. Don’t be surprised if the Rams use a large percentage of their cap space extending standout receiver Puka Nacua, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal.
Cap space: $27.5 million
Team needs: CB, OL, S, WR, QB
San Francisco 49ers
Issues: The 49ers are attempting to shake down Trent Williams to lower his $22.2 million base salary, but if the negotiations go poorly don’t be surprised if the 12-time Pro Bowler gets released. San Francisco also plans to release Brandon Aiyuk if it can’t find a trade partner.
Cap space: $37.5 million
Team needs: WR, OL, Edge, S, CB
Seattle Seahawks
Issues: The Seahawks exposed Kenneth Walker II to free agency by not placing a franchise or transition tag on the Super Bowl MVP, and could now potentially lose him. Seattle also has two starters in the secondary — Cody Bryant and Josh Jobe — headed to free agency.
Cap space: $58.1 million
Team needs: CB, OL, RB, WR, Edge