Every NFL fan wishes they could see the future. There’s always one question looming in their minds that they just need an answer to right now.
Whether it’s a new coach, a young quarterback, or an inexplicable collapse, there’s no shortage of wonderment in the NFL. In this NFL Preview series, we’re asking one burning question for every team. Here’s the NFC East.
The Giants fired former head coach Brian Daboll during the 2025 season, and subsequently replaced him with Super Bowl XLVII champion John Harbaugh. The Baltimore Ravens’ longtime coach is shifting the culture in New York, but will it pay off?
Harbaugh has brought in a slew of free agents during his first offseason. Isaiah Likely (tight end), Patrick Ricard (fullback), Darnell Mooney, Calvin Austin (WRs), and Tremaine Edmunds (LB), just to name a few. He’s also leading Jaxson Dart into his second year as New York’s starting quarterback.
The Giants traded away star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence ahead of the 2026 Draft. With two top 10 picks, they selected linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive lineman Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa.
Harbaugh’s overhaul in New York cannot be ignored. He’s put in the effort to improve the roster, but it’s almost time for results to show. Big Blue has been in the dumps for nearly a decade. It’s time for the suffering to end.
After winning Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, departed for a head coaching job with the New Orleans Saints. They subsequently promoted pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo. It wasn’t long before he became public enemy number one.
The 2024 Eagles were a force to be reckoned with. They went 14-3, with two of those losses coming in the first four weeks. They stomped their way through the playoffs and put a dagger in the Kansas City Chiefs’ three-peat hopes.
The 2025 Eagles’ offense was a much different story. Injuries tore down the offensive line, and all creativity seemed to disappear from the game plan. Patullo was replaced in the offseason by former Green Bay Packers QB coach Sean Mannion.
Mannion will be looking to reignite an offense that’s now without wide receiver AJ Brown. He’ll need to inject some excitement back into the game plan and allow Jalen Hurts to be more of a field general. The juggernaut might not be dead yet, and Mannion is its new lifeline.
Jayden Daniels is a rising star at QB, but he’s coming off an injury-riddled year. He sprained his left knee in Week 4, strained his hamstring in Week 8, and dislocated his left elbow in Week 9.
Daniels re-injured his elbow in his Week 14 return and missed the rest of the year. Despite those concerns, the biggest flaw of the 2025 Commanders is that the roster was missing youth.
Washington went into the season with 25 players over 29 years old, the most in the NFL. Between age and injuries, the season fell apart fast. They responded by signing linebackers Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Leo Chenal, all of whom are under 30 years old.
The Commanders also drafted Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in the first round. The injection of youth will play a huge role in their success, or lack thereof, this season. Regardless of the short-term, it was a necessary move.
The Cowboys’ defense was supremely disappointing in 2025. The decision to trade star edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers proved to be ill-advised, and the numbers make that clear.
Dallas’ defense ranked dead last in pass yards allowed per game (251.5) and in points allowed per game (30.1). They also ranked 30th in interceptions on the year (six), and 26th in sacks (35). No matter how good the offense is, that kind of defensive production is criminal.
The Cowboys acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at the midseason trade deadline. They also traded for former Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary. To follow that up, five of their seven draft picks were spent on defensive players.
The addition of veterans and draft picks like cornerback Caleb Downs and defensive end Malachi Lawrence should lead to improvement in Dallas. If Dak Prescott has another 4,500+ yard season, the defense will need to carry its weight.
The NFC East is historically an extremely competitive division. It’s the only division where every team has won the Super Bowl. The landscape seemingly changes from year to year, and 2026 may be no different. Get ready for another messy year from the NFC “Beast”.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
