Philadelphia Eagles: Still the beasts of the NFC East
A look at what’s transpired so far this NFL offseason shows that the Philadelphia Eagles are still the best team in the NFC East.
Ok, I realize that “beasts” is a bit of a stretch when you’re talking about a team that went 9-7 last year. Nevertheless, the Philadelphia Eagles are defending NFC East Champs, and smart money should be on them to repeat, if this offseason so far is to be any indication.
Yes, there are many more transactions ahead and the NFL Draft has yet to be held (whenever it might be), but a look around the rest of the division to see what teams have been up to shows that the Eagles are once again the team to beat.
More from Philadelphia Eagles
- 4 Eagles on the Bubble Who Have Clinched Their 53-Man Roster Spots
- Best Pennsylvania Sportsbook Promos: Win $650 GUARANTEED Bonus PLUS $100 off NFL Sunday Ticket
- 3 Punters the Eagles Must Target to Replace Arryn Siposs
- Cowboys Trey Lance Trade Proves How Screwed They Are With Dak Prescott
- Devon Allen Took Britain Covey’s Job on Eagles
The perpetually rebuilding ‘Skins will look very different by the time next season rolls around, and that’s even before accounting for any draft picks or late transactions.
For starters, Vernon Davis has retired and the club released Josh Norman as new coach Ron Rivera tries to put together a young but competitive club. They did exercise their option on the ageless Adrian Peterson, meaning that the Redskins might actually have a competent backfield if everyone can stay healthy.
But they haven’t done much to give QB Dwayne Haskins any help yet. And who knows, maybe they even take another signal caller with the #2 overall pick. Then again, they did just trade for Kyle Allen too. This team is just a mystery. Washington also franchise tagged offensive guard Brandon Scherff, who’s a very good player, but their O-line still needs work.
The G-Men made a trio of signings right out of the gate in free agency to help address defensive deficiencies. It started when they brought in corner James Bradberry, a consolation prize for missing out on Byron Jones. Then they moved on to a pair of linebackers in Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell, who are both coming over from Green Bay.
Those moves were nice, but what about the offense? Unless you’re blown away by their signing of Colt McCoy, you have to be wondering where the points will come from unless Saquon Barkley has an insane season. Right now, Daniel Jones had better hope that the organization has a plan to help him out later this offseason.
The Cowboys franchise tagged Dak Prescott and came to terms on a new deal with Amari Cooper, but those were moves that they basically had to make. Because outside of that, it’s been a truly rough start to the offseason in Big D. They lost Byron Jones in free agency, as was widely expected, but the shocking retirement of All-Pro center Travis Frederick at the age of 29 has to have them reeling. You just don’t replace what he brought, at least not on short notice like this.
The mass exodus out of Dallas has also included DE Robert Quinn and wideout Randall Cobb, among others, as the Cowboys hemorrhage players. Heck, even Jason Witten skipped town, though it thankfully won’t be in favor of a broadcast booth. No word yet on whether or not his hairpiece followed. Add it all up, and the Cowboys will have some work to do in the coming months to make sure they haven’t been significantly weakened in 2020.
Philadelphia Eagles
Well, I think we can all agree that the Eagles blew it with Malcolm Jenkins. They clearly undervalued what he was bringing to the table, both on and off the field. It stunk. But, aside from that, they did make valuable additions to the secondary by signing Will Parks and trading for Darius Slay.
Javon Hargrave also looks to be a big factor up front, giving the Eagles (again, if healthy) a fearsome D-line heading into 2020. On offense, let’s not gloss over the fact that the Eagles lost Jordan Howard, a move that got next to zero coverage in town but stings nonetheless. Still, you have to like what the Eagles have been doing (apart from Jenkins) so far during this strange offseason.
Yannick Ngakoue is picking Philly, right?. dark. Next
It’s far too early to make projections, and many things will change. But the Eagles look to be in an even stronger position to assert NFC East supremacy right now than they were just a few short weeks ago.