The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat champion since the Philadelphia Eagles won the division for four straight years ending in 2004.
The division has been one of the most competitive in the NFL over the past two decades and the Dallas Cowboys will hope to reverse their fortunes in 2025. They finished third in the division in 2024 with a 7-10 record, from this season and return to the top of the division where they were in 2023.
After the Eagles won the division and the Super Bowl in 2024, what moves did the rest of the NFC East make during the offseason to try to capture the NFC East crown?
Dallas Cowboys
Additions: Parris Campbell (WR), Dante Fowler Jr. (DL), Miles Sanders (RB), Javonte Williams (RB), Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB), Jack Sanborn (LB), Kaiir Elam (CB), Payton Turner (DE), Solomon Thomas (DL), Robert Jones (OL),
Returning players: Osa Odighizuwa (DL), Israel Mukuamu (CB),C.J. Goodwin (CB), Brock Hoffman (OL), Trent Sieg (LS), Markquese Bell (S), Juanyeh Thomas (S), KaVontae Turpin (WR), Bryan Anger (P), Tyrus Wheat (DL)
Departures: Zack Martin (retirement), DeMarcus Lawrence (Seattle Seahawks), Jourdan Lewis (Jacksonville Jaguars), Chuma Edoga (Jacksonville Jaguars), Cooper Rush (Baltimore Ravens), Rico Dowdle (Carolina Panthers), Chauncey Golston (New York Giants)
Outlook: The Cowboys are coming off an injury-riddled and disappointing season, ending with them parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy. Dallas didn’t make a huge splash with any of their offseason additions but re-signed and restructured the contracts of several key players. The Cowboys hope health and additions around the margins can help the team return to Super Bowl contention.
Philadelphia Eagles
Additions: Azeez Ojulari (LB), Kylen Granson (TE), Avery Williams (KR/PR), Patrick Johnson (LB), Charley Hughlett (LS), Adoree’ Jackson (CB), Harrison Bryant (TE), Joshua Uche (LB), A.J. Dillon (RB), Kenyon Green (OL), Dorian Thompson-Robinson (QB),
Returning players: Lane Johnson (OL), Saquon Barkley (RB), Zack Baun (LB), Ben VanSumeren (FB)
Departures: Josh Sweat (Arizona Cardinals), Milton Williams (New England Patriots), Darius Slay (Pittsburgh Steelers), Kenneth Gainwell (Pittsburgh Steelers), Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota Vikings), James Bradberry (free agent), Parris Campbell (Dallas Cowboys), Mekhi Becton (Los Angeles Chargers), Oren Burks (Cincinnati Bengals), Fred Johnson (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Outlook: The Super Bowl champions have lost talent this offseason, losing Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, and Darius Slay, who all started on defense. The Eagles will be forced to rely on young players like Sydney Brown and Nolan Smith to help replace key veterans on that side of the ball. On offense, the Eagles remain majorly intact, and the team might have to rely on that unit more than they did last season.
Washington Commanders
Additions: Laremy Tunsil (OL), Deebo Samuel (WR), Javon Kinlaw (DL), Will Harris (CB), Eddie Goldman (DL), Jonathan Jones (CB), Deatrich Wise (DL),
Returning players: Zach Ertz (TE), Marcus Mariota (QB), Zane Gonzalez (K), Tress Way (P), KJ Osborn (WR), Noah Brown (WR), Sheldon Day (DL), Bobby Wagner (LB), John Bates (TE), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB), Jeremy McNichols (RB), Kevon Seymour (CB), Michael Deiter (OL),
Departures: Jonathan Allen (Minnesota Vikings), Dante Fowler Jr. (Dallas Cowboys), Cornelius Lucas (Cleveland Browns), Benjamin St-Juste (Los Angeles Chargers), Dyami Brown (Jacksonville Jaguars), Jeremy Chinn (Las Vegas Raiders), Olamide Zaccheaus (Chicago Bears), Darrick Forrest (Buffalo Bills), Mykal Walker (Arizona Cardinals), Brycen Tremayne (Carolina Panthers), Phidarian Mathis (New York Jets)
Outlook: The Commanders have had a busy offseason making several big trades for stars like Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil. Washington is fresh off its first NFC title game appearance in over 30 years and is hoping that they can finish what they started with some key additions around Jayden Daniels.
New York Giants
Additions: James Hudson III (OL), Jeremiah Ledbetter (DL), Jevon Holland (S), Chris Board (LB), Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (LB), Darius Slayton (WR), Roy Robertson-Harris (DL), Ihmir Smith-Marsette (WR), Stone Forsythe (OL), Chauncey Golston (DE), Paulson Adebo (CB), Victor Dimukeje (LB),
Returning players: Tommy Devito (QB), Casey Kreiter (LS), Greg Van Roten (OL), Tomon Fox (LB), Jamie Gillan (P), Dyontae Johnson (LB), Chris Manhertz (TE), Aaron Stinnie (OL)
Departures: Azeez Ojulari (Philadelphia Eagles), Jason Pinnock (San Francisco 49ers), Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts), Boogie Basham (Carolina Panthers), Isaiah Hodgins (San Francisco 49ers), Adoree’ Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles), Jakob Johnson (Houston Texans), Patrick Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Outlook: The Giants are further away from contention than any other team in the NFC East. The big reason is their lack of clarity at the quarterback position. Previous franchise quarterback Daniel Jones was released during the 2024 season. Many, including draft prognosticators, have the Giants picking Shedeur Sanders, who could fill the void at quarterback the team has had since Eli Manning retired.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a Master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.