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20 Questions in 20 Days

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20 Questions in 20 Days: State of the NFC East

20-QUESTIONS-JULY-22

Giants.com is counting down the start of training camp with 20 questions in 20 days.

6) What is the state of the NFC East?

John Schmeelk: The offseason for the division can be expressed in one word: flux. Every team in the division has changed at least one coordinator. The Commanders and Giants have changed both offense and defense. On top of that, the Giants also have a new head coach.

One point of consistency will be at the quarterback position, where all four teams are returning their field generals. But three of the four teams will have different offensive coordinators, so the situations that they will be placed in will be very different.

Only the Cowboys return their offensive coordinator, Klayton Adams. Their head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, will retain play-calling responsibility for Dak Prescott. Their entire starting 11 on that side of the ball will remain in place for 2026, though there will reportedly be a competition for the starting left tackle spot between former first-round pick Tyler Guyton and 2024 seventh-round pick Nate Thomas. The Cowboys had one of the best offenses in football last season, and they will try to continue that momentum.

Their defense has been completely remade with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and at least six new starters acquired via trade, free agency and the draft. Parker will bring the tenants of the Vic Fangio system from Philadelphia to the Cowboys' defense. Newcomers Rashan Gary and first-round pick Malachi Lawrence will play a big role on the edge. Dee Winters will likely anchor their inside linebacker corps. Caleb Downs will be a leader in the secondary as a nickel or safety, alongside newcomer Jalen Thompson. DaRon Bland will return as one starting cornerback, but he will be joined by Cobie Durant, a former Ram, and Dallas expects Shavon Revel Jr. to make a big jump another year off his ACL injury at the end of his college career. Whether Parker can turn what was one of the worst defenses in the league last year into an average unit will determine whether Dallas will be a contender.

The Eagles brought in Sean McVay disciple Sean Mannion to run their offense. They said goodbye to A.J. Brown, but selected Makai Lemon in the first round. How Jalen Hurts operates in a system that's very different than what he has run before will be very telling. Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers will also have a chance to contribute as the team's second-round pick. Otherwise, Philadelphia will return its offensive personnel.

The Eagles' big addition up front on defense came via trade when they acquired edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. In the secondary, they brought in Riq Woolen from Seattle to be their second cornerback. While Fangio returns as defensive coordinator, the Eagles are still very talented on both sides of the ball.

The Commanders are a wild card. No one has any idea what new offensive coordinator David Blough will do. Will it look like Ben Johnson's offense or something else? The Commanders drafted slot receiver Antonio Williams in the third round. They also added tight end Chig Okonkwo.

On defense, Daronte Jones was hired from Brian Flores' staff in Minnesota. It will be interesting to see how his style blends with that of head coach Dan Quinn. The Commanders spent money in free agency on the front seven in defensive linemen Tim Settle, Charles Omenihu, Odafe Owek, Leo Chenal and K'Lavon Chaisson. They also drafted Sonny Styles with the sixth overall pick. They also added veteran defensive backs in Amik Robertson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Rasul Douglas and Nick Cross.

The NFC East will once again be very competitive. My big questions:

  • Can Hurts adjust to the Eagles' new offense?
  • Can Parker turn around the Cowboys' defense?
  • Can the Commanders' changes yield quick results?

The Giants will have their work cut out for them, but every team in the division has flaws. It should once again be a very competitive and difficult race.

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