The NFC East reigns supreme at the moment. It is home to the Super Bowl champs and the team they beat in the conference championship a year ago. The East could be considered perhaps the best division in the NFC, top to bottom, if there weren’t so much drama going on.
How can the Eagles repeat?
The Philadelphia Eagles are done celebrating their championship. Reality hit them this offseason when they lost a number of defensive stars. That said, they will once again be the favorites not only to win the division but also to challenge for another conference title.
Jalen Hurts will run largely the same offense that ranked second in the league in rushing a year ago. There is also a plan to give superstar running back Saquon Barkley a break every now and then, said Eagles new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
“We’ve kind of talked about that, he and I have,” Patullo told ESPN. “I think it’s very game-specific. It depends on how the flow of the game goes. He does a really good job of knowing himself, of knowing when he needs to come out, when he wants to go back in. So, a lot of that will be on him, obviously, during games, and he’s really good about paying attention to that.”
What’s the latest from Terry McLaurin and the Commanders?
The Washington Commanders finished 2024 with a 12-5 record and feel like they could once again challenge the Eagles’ dominance. They split with Philadelphia in the regular season but were blown out in the NFC Championship.
First, however, the Commanders need to deal with the contract drama surrounding number one wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who wants a big extension. He reported to camp after holding out for a few days, but has yet to practice. McLaurin is in the final season of a three-year, $68 million contract, and he wants a contract in the $30 million per year range. He recently requested a trade. Head coach Dan Quinn was quick to shoot down the idea that it’s affecting the team.
“Somebody asked me, is it a distraction? It is not,” Quinn said. “The players today, they’re more aware of contracts and things maybe than they used to be. And they recognize that the business part happens as well. So, for the team, we’re just rocking and going and throwing some great practices. For Terry and the trade request, like, man, that’s part of normal business.”
Any movement between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons?
There’s a similar contract showdown in Dallas where linebacker Micah Parsons is also holding out and has also requested a trade. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he has no plans to trade Parsons and used the salary cap as an excuse for not meeting the star player’s price. Jones, like the Commanders, feels it’s just a business disagreement that will eventually get settled.
“As always in any relationship, there are different moods at different times of your relationship,” Jones said. “That’s what this is. Don’t lose any sleep over it. That’s one thing I would tell our fans, don’t lose any sleep over it.”
One disgruntled player who requested and was granted a trade in the offseason is wide receiver George Pickens. He moved from Pittsburgh to Dallas and could be the key to getting Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense back to 100%.
Who are some of the top breakout players in the NFC East?
Pickens tops our list of four players looking to break out in the NFC East in 2025. The Cowboys don’t have much of a running game, so he needs to play well and take some pressure off fellow wideout CeeDee Lamb.
In Philadelphia, two players could play a key role in whether the Eagles can defend their title. Cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Cooper DeJean will step into the spotlight after several defensive backs departed in the offseason.
In D.C., rookie second-round pick Trey Amos could be in line for a starting job, which would fill a void for the Commanders.
There are reports from Giants training camp in New Jersey that say second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers has been “unguardable” during practice.
Will the Giants fare better during the Russell Wilson era?
Perhaps it’s a byproduct of working with new quarterback Russell Wilson, who signed a one-year, $21 million deal to lead Brian Daboll’s offense. The coach seems almost relieved he has a reliable veteran leading the way.
“I’m glad Russ is here for a number of reasons,” Daboll said. “He’s provided leadership to our football team in various ways, not just in the quarterback room, but meeting extra with the entire offense, how he communicates with defensive players, and the experience that he’s had throughout his career.”
With that veteran leadership at quarterback, a star receiver and a formidable defensive line, the Giants could more than double their win total of three from 2024. That may be enough to call progress, and so far, there has been no drama in Jersey.
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Author: Chris Francis
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