The 2023 NFL offseason is upon us. In recent years, the NFC East has been a division that has garnered much chatter due to the lack of wins, and viable candidates for championship-level football.
Not anymore.
In the 2022-23 season, the NFC East was the best division in football with all four teams having .500 or better records. Three of the four teams were also participants in the NFC playoffs with all three NFC East teams reaching the divisional round.
Now back as the top division in sports, the importance of how each franchise handles its offseason will go a long way to deciding the winner of a division that hasn’t seen a repeat champion since 2004.
Let’s take a look at where each NFC East team currently stands.
Dallas Cowboys – Backed by Dak?
The Dallas Cowboys are still one of the youngest teams in football but have key decisions to make at running back. After yet another season of playoff futility, questions have also surrounded Dak Prescott’s ability to be a championship quarterback.
Those questions have come to the point where the team is reportedly “enamored” with Ohio State quarterback prospect, CJ Stroud. Will Dallas really try and trade up in the draft for the Heisman finalist? Could we see another QB room shakeup in the NFC East?
It is unlikely. Dak Prescott carries a massive cap hit for the Cowboys with his extension, and there are still plenty of decisions the team has to make for Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard. Add in potential contract extensions for Trevon Diggs and Micah Parsons, and Dallas has serious questions to answer in regards of who to keep on the roster.
New York Giants – Daniel Jones contract issues
The New York Giants have plenty of cap room with restructures that will allow them to pay both Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones. The problem? Jones is now asking for money well north of $45 million and has switched agents.
The Giants have a major quaterback issue on their hands. On one end, they could pay Jones that lucrative sum, and suffer the consequences of overpaying for a good, but not great quarterback. On the other, they could let Jones walk, and because of their draft status, miss out on some of the top prospects in this class.
There’s no easy way out for the G-Men as they try to continue their push to being a legit contender in the NFC East.
Washington Commanders – Upgraded coaches + upgraded quarterbacks?
If there’s one team that has come away better than they were whe the season ended, it’s the Washington Commanders. Washington upgraded their offensive staff in a major way with the hiring of Eric Bienemy and should have plenty of weapons to make their offense formidable in 2023.
The only issue for Washington is that they don’t have a proven quarterback. Sam Howell is expected to be the starter in 2023 and with questions surrounding him, it won’t take Washington out of the discussion for top veteran options in the open market.
Just how good is Eric Bienemy as a coach? We will soon find out if Kansas City’s recent run of dominance has more to do with Mahomes, and Reid or if Bienemy was as important as they say to the organization. Can Bienemy help the Commanders rise up in the NFC East ranks?
Philadelphia Eagles – Contract Status and Coaching Questions
There are three main storylines going into this offseason for the defending NFC East Champions. First, who is going to call plays on both offense and defense? The team needs to replace both their OC and DC positions after their coordinators left for head coaching jobs. Whoever is picked will be under heavy scrutiny to get back to the Super Bowl.
Second, what does Jalen Hurts’ contract extension look like? Hurts is the face of the franchise in Philly and will get a contract well north of 45-50 million dollars. This extension will happen soon as there’s no reason for Philly to wait.
Third, which of the top free agents that were brought in last year will return this year? Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry, and several other key pieces of the Super Bowl run don’t have contracts bleeding into the 2023 season. Howie Roseman and the Eagles will need to be very careful with how they disperse the remainder of their money going into the offseason.
Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
