In 2022, the NFC East may have been the best division in football. The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants all punched their ticket to the playoffs. The Eagles went 14-3, before falling to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. But, this season was certainly a success for the Eagles, as they officially established that Jalen Hurts was their quarterback of the future. Hurts was an MVP candidate, willing the Eagles to one of the league’s best offenses. The Cowboys were able to overcome QB Dak Prescott’s thumb injury early in the season, which sidelined him for about a month. The Cowboys were able to win a playoff game, as they beat Tom Brady’s Bucs on the road. But, they fell short in the Divisional round of the playoffs, losing to the 49ers (again). The Giants may have been the biggest surprise of the 2022 season. The Giants finished with a winning record for the first time since 2016, and won their first playoff game since 2011. Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll was able to get the offense on track, and QB Daniel Jones registered a career season. The arrow is pointing up for the Giants as they head into the 2023 season. The Washington Commanders represented the basement of the NFC East, as they were the lone team in that division to not make the playoffs. The Carson Wentz experiment at quarterback lasted for seven starts, but they were still able to go 8-8-1. QB Taylor Heinicke kept them afloat, but their playoff hopes fell short for the second consecutive season. The teams in the NFC East combined for a record of 43-23-2. The 2022 season was a wild ride in the NFC East, will 2023 live up to the hype?
Key Offseason Dates
March 13th-March 15th: During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 14 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 16, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2022 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 15.
March 15th: The 2023 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4 p.m., New York time.
Philadelphia Eagles
Image: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports / 2022
Key Free Agents: DT Javon Hargrave, DT Fletcher Cox, C Jason Kelce, CB James Bradberry, G Isaac Seumalo, LB Kyzir White, LB T.J. Edwards, RB Miles Sanders, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Potential Cuts/Trade Candidates: CB Darius Slay, DE Derek Barnett, WR Quez Watkins
Draft Picks: 6
Salary Cap Space: $8.8 million (per spotrac.com)
Biggest Needs: CB, LB, DT, RB, S
Fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance, the Eagles are considered the favorite to get back their next season. But, the Eagles do have some obstacles to overcome in order for them to get back to the biggest game in sports. The Eagles lost their offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon this offseason. Both left for head coaching opportunities. So, that will likely present as an adjustment going forward. The Eagles also have some key free agents, that they will need to make a decision on. The Eagles could lose some talent on their defensive line, which was a strength for Philly last season. With limited cap space, the Eagles will in fact lose some pieces. The Eagles could also look to add some depth at the running back position. Or, maybe they’ll swing for the fences if a star tailback becomes available.
They will also need to figure out the situation surrounding CB Darius Slay. The 32 year old cornerback is seeking a new contract, so the Eagles granted Slay’s agent permission to seek a trade. Slay has made it clear that he would prefer to finish his career in Philadelphia, and he did not directly ask for a trade. It’s unclear exactly what the market would be for Slay, but if he does indeed get dealt the Eagles will save $3.7 million in cap space this offseason. My guess would be that Darius Slay is sporting a different uniform next season. Teams are desperate for cornerbacks, and I could see a contender paying premium for Slay’s services.
While, the Eagles may have to part with some key players on their defense, they’ll be able to load back up during the draft. The Eagles have two-first rounds, as they’re slated to pick at 10 overall and 30 overall. I’d imagine that they’ll look towards someone that could help them in the front-seven with at least one of those picks. Also, be on the lookout for a potential contract extension for QB Jalen Hurts…
Dallas Cowboys
Image: Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images / 2021
Key Free Agents: TE Dalton Schultz, DE Dante Fowler Jr., WR T.Y. Hilton Jr., LB Leighton Vander Esch, LB Anthony Barr
Potential Cuts/Trade Candidates: RB Ezekiel Elliot, OT Tyron Smith, CB Jourdan Lewis, DT Neville Gallimore
Draft Picks: 9
Salary Cap Space: $12.3 million (per spotrac.com)
Franchise Tag: RB Tony Pollard
Biggest Needs: WR, OT, CB, LB, DT
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on RB Tony Pollard. The shifty tailback is set to earn a little over $10 on the franchise tag. The soon to be 26-year old Pollard is coming off a career season in which he rushed for over 1,000 rushing yards, caught 39 passes, and scored 12 touchdowns. It was apparent that Tony Pollard was the best running back on the Cowboys roster.
So, where does that leave Ezekiel Elliot? Zeke is coming off a season in which he had a career-low in rushing attempts, rushing yards, yards per carry, and yards per game. It’s unclear what the Cowboys want to do with Ezekiel Elliot, but the logical move would be to move on from him. Paying two running backs at the top of the market deals, doesn’t feel like good business in 2023. My guess would be that Zeke gets dealt or outright released this offseason. If the Cowboys release him after June-1st, they will save $10.9 million.
I expect the Cowboys to also target another veteran receiver this offseason. Adding a playmaker to play with WR CeeDee Lamb would be extremely beneficial for this offense. At times it felt like the Cowboys were limited by their personnel outside of Lamb. This may be a weak free agent class at wide receiver in terms of that true “number one receiver,” but there are plenty of complimentary options that would fit in nicely as options two and three at receiver for the Cowboys.
New York Giants
Image: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images / 2021
Key Free Agents: S Julian Love, C Jon Feliciano, G Nick Gates
Potential Cuts/Trade Candidates: WR Kenny Golladay
Draft Picks: 12
Salary Cap Space: $18.6 million (per spotrac.com)
Franchise Tag: RB Saquon Barkley
Biggest Needs: LB, G, C, WR, S
The Giants concluded the 2022 season with both QB Daniel Jones and RB Saquon Barkley without a contract for the 2023 season. With the ability to only use the franchise tag on one player, it was imperative that the Giants reached an agreement with one of them before the franchise tag deadline had passed. The Giants were successfully able to re-sign QB Daniel Jones right before the franchise tag deadline. Jones and the Giants agreed to a four-year deal worth $160 million.
After the agreement with Jones, the Giants placed the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley. The tag will pay him over $10 million in 2023, but the Giants will likely try to lock Barkley into a long-term contract extension before the start of the season. Barkley had a bounce-back season in 2022 rushing for a career-high in rushing yards (1,312). At only 26-years old, Barkley looks to have plenty in the tank.
With Jones and Barkley locked in for 2023, the Giants will look to add to their roster. The Giants have been linked heavily with free agent WR Odell Beckham Jr. After sitting out for the entire 2022 season, Beckham is healthy and is ready to cash in. Reports have surfaced that Beckham could be looking at a contract that would pay him $20 million a season. I’m not sure if the Giants would be willing to meet that number, but if the price is right, a reunion with OBJ could be in the cards. I also expect the Giants to do some work on the interior part of their offensive line. The Giants struggled at guard and at center, and will look up upgrade at both spots this offseason. Jon Feliciano was the starting center for the Giants in 2022, but I don’t expect them to bring him back to be the team’s starting center in 2023.
Washington Commanders
Image: G Fiume / Getty Images / 2022
Key Free Agents: QB Carson Wentz (released), QB Taylor Heinicke, G Wes Schweitzer
Potential Cuts/Trade Candidates: TE Logan Thomas
Draft Picks: 8
Salary Cap Space: ($34.6 million per spotrac.com)
Biggest Needs: QB, CB, LB, TE, OT
The Commanders placed the franchise tag on DT Daron Payne to start the offseason. Payne was actually the first player to be franchised this offseason. But, the tag did not last long, because Payne and the Commanders have agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $90 million. The contract is the second largest contract that an interior defensive lineman has ever received. Payne is coming off of a pro-bowl campaign, as he tallied career highs in sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. The 25-year old Payne will continue to give the Commanders one of the most potent defensive lines in the NFL.
With Payne taken care of, the Commanders should shift their attention to the quarterback position. The Commanders have already released QB Carson Wentz , freeing up $26.2 million in cap savings. It was clear that Wentz was a bad fit in Washington from the start. QB Taylor Heinicke is slated to become a free agent, and should have a market. Heinicke has proven that he can be a nice fill-in starter, or a bridge option at the quarterback position. But, I think the Commanders will look to aim higher, and Heinicke may be else where in 2023. QB Sam Howell is the the current favorite to be the team’s starting quarterback. Howell was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He won his one and only start at quarterback last season, going 11-19 for 169 yards and tossed one touchdown pass. Is Ron Rivera banking on Howell to be the team’s quarterback of the future?
While, I do believe that Commanders like Howell, I still think they’ll explore some other potential options at the quarterback position. QB Jimmy Garoppolo would make a lot of sense in Washington, and would fit in nicely in Eric Bieniemy’s offense. I also believe that the Commanders should take a look at Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Making an offer to Jackson would finally give Washington their quarterback, and it would weaken the near-by Baltimore Ravens. The Commanders need buzz and relevancy, and Lamar Jackson would instantly provide that. Washington would be foolish to not kick the tire’s on Lamar Jackson.