NFC East Offseason Power Rankings: Eagles Still On Top, But The Cowboys Are Lurking

The NFC East was supposed to be the best division in football for years to come. After the 2025 season, it's clear that distinction belongs to one team and a bunch of pretenders trying to figure it out. The Eagles went 11-6 and won the division for the second straight year — the first back-to-back NFC East champions since the 2001-2004 Eagles dynasty. But a Wild Card exit to San Francisco exposed real flaws. Meanwhile, the rest of the division is in various stages of chaos. Here's how the NFC East stacks up heading into the 2026 offseason.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) — Still The Class Of The Division

The Eagles remain the team to beat, but they're not the juggernaut they were in 2024. A step back from 14-3 to 11-6 and a one-and-done playoff exit to San Francisco tells you this roster has cracks that need addressing. The offensive line was banged up all year. The offense led the league in three-and-outs at times. And the defense, despite Vic Fangio's brilliance, wore down late in the season.

The good news: the core is still elite. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are both first-team All-Pro corners at 24 and 23 years old respectively. Jalen Carter is a monster inside. Saquon Barkley is still Saquon Barkley. The foundation is there. But the offseason to-do list is long: edge rusher, CB2, offensive line coaching, and the AJ Brown situation all need resolution. How Howie Roseman navigates the next six weeks will determine whether this team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender or a first-round exit waiting to happen again.

2. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) — Closer Than You Think

Here's where the hot takes come in: the Cowboys are only two players away from being a legitimate playoff contender. Before you lose your mind, hear the argument out. Dallas had the number one offense in football in 2025. Dak Prescott looked as good as he has in three years. Brian Schottenheimer's play-calling was sharp. CeeDee Lamb continued to be one of the best receivers in the game.

The problem was obvious: the defense was historically bad. One of the worst units in the NFL. But they addressed that by trading for Micah Parsons, bringing in Quinnen Williams, and adding pieces to stop the bleeding in the run defense. If that defense moves from 32nd to even 15th? Dallas is in the playoffs. And they came back from 21 points down against the Eagles this year. This team has fight.

The hiring of Christian Parker as defensive coordinator — poached from the Eagles staff — is the chess move that could swing the division. Parker spent two years learning Fangio's system in Philadelphia. He knows where the bodies are buried. Don't sleep on Dallas in 2026.

3. New York Giants (4-13) — Better Than The Record Suggests

The Giants went 4-13, which looks awful. But there's a case to be made that they're actually trending in a better direction than Washington. The coaching staff they've assembled under Brian Horabail is genuinely impressive. The defensive line is strong. They've got Malik Nabers as a foundational offensive weapon. And they'll likely add more weapons in free agency.

The question mark is Jackson Dart. The rookie quarterback has the athleticism to make plays when the pocket breaks down, but his passing accuracy from the pocket is a real concern — arguably worse than Jalen Hurts' in that department. The offensive line is still shoddy. They need linebackers and secondary help badly. But don't put the Giants fourth in the division for 2026 just yet. This coaching staff could surprise people.

4. Washington Commanders (5-12) — The Regression Is Real

Remember when the Commanders were the darling of the NFC? That feels like a lifetime ago. Washington went from playoff team to 5-12, and the problems are structural, not cosmetic. Jayden Daniels is a good quarterback — a genuinely talented player who will have a better year in 2026. But he's not good enough to single-handedly fix everything that's broken around him.

The roster management has been a disaster. They paid Terry McLaurin too late and too much. Their best players are all 29 or older. They traded away Jonathan Allen. The offensive line's biggest acquisition was Laremy Tunsil, who's in his thirties. Josh Connerly from the draft could develop, but that's a lot of 'could' for a team that needs help now.

The defense lacks pass rush, the secondary needs work, and the roster is tied up in aging contracts. Washington made every wrong move in the retooling phase, and now they're paying for it. Daniels deserves better. He's not getting it anytime soon.

The Bottom Line

The Eagles are still the team to beat in the NFC East, but the margin is shrinking. Dallas made aggressive moves to close the gap defensively. The Giants have a coaching staff that could accelerate their rebuild. And Washington is learning the hard way that a good quarterback doesn't fix bad roster construction.

This offseason will tell us everything. The combine starts this week. Free agency opens March 11. The draft is April 23. By the time the dust settles, the NFC East pecking order could look very different. But right now, it's still Philadelphia's division to lose. The question is whether they're willing to do what it takes to keep it.