NFC East news: Philadelphia hopes its spending spree will pay off
The latest news from around the NFC East
Eagles’ offseason grade: Will spending spree put Philly back on top? - Ralph Vacchiano, Fox Sports
Spending big money has led to success in the past, but will it work for the Eagles?
One thing that no one will ever accuse Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman of doing: Standing pat.
He certainly could have done that after last season, when his team finished in a 1-6 spiral that ruined what they hoped would be a Super Bowl encore. It would have been easy to say he still had the core of the 2022 NFC champions. It would’ve been easy to blame injuries for how his team so alarmingly fell apart.
Instead, he went on a spending spree, not only locking up some of his key players to long-term contracts, but bringing in what some might call a “Dream Team” of high-priced free agents. He signed running back Saquon Barkley, who was arguably the best offensive player on the market. He added edge-rusher Bryce Huff, one of the best defensive players available. And he brought back safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who in many ways was the heart and attitude of the defense that helped the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII.
Head coach Nick Sirianni also replaced his offensive and defensive coordinator after Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie decided not to make the head coach the fall guy for the disturbing, late-season fall. And the result of all that is an Eagles team that will seem familiar, but might look a lot different on the field.
There’s nothing not to like about what they did. Instead of resting on laurels, the Eagles got aggressive and went straight after the top free agents on both sides of the ball. They changed both their coordinators one season after they changed both their coordinators. And they were extremely aggressive in the draft, where they ended up with the two best cornerbacks on a lot of teams’ boards.
It’s a lot of change for a team that was 10-1 at one point last season, but they were spurred into action by their 1-6 finish. They think their championship window is still wide open. They were clearly not willing to just sit back and watch it close.
Free-Agent Contracts Giants Must Consider Before Training Camp - Kristopher Knox, Bleacher Report
New York still has moves to make to bolster its roster.
The New York Giants didn’t completely blow up their roster this offseason, but they recognized that trying to run it back with a group that made the playoffs in 2022 wasn’t going to work.
New York tried that approach last season and finished with a 6-11 record. Since the spring, the Giants have focused on reloading their offensive line, adding potential difference-makers on defense and improving one of the league’s worth receiving corps.
Additions like Jon Runyan, Jermaine Eluemunor, Brian Burns, Malik Nabers and Tyler Nubin should make the Giants better in 2024. The roster is probably still a few pieces away from being playoff-caliber, though. New York has just $10.3 million in cap space remaining, but there’s still time to make a few moves.
RB Dalvin Cook
The Giants lost a key piece of their offense when Saquon Barkley signed with the rival Eagles in free agency. They added Devin Singletary and rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. this offseason, but their backfield depth is still quite questionable.
Unfortunately, New York isn’t going to find a “sure-thing” starter lingering on the free agent market. There was a run at the position early in free agency, and the player pool has drained considerably.
The Giants might be able to get a steal, however, if they take a chance on four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook. The 28-year-old struggled to see the field with the New York Jets last season, but he’s still just two years removed from a season with 1,468 scrimmage yards.
Cook is eager to reestablish himself as a top back.
“I can still cut and still take (the ball) 80 (yards) when it’s time. I just got to get out there and show all these people that Dalvin is still Dalvin,” he told NFL Network’s The Insiders in May.
CB Patrick Peterson
The Giants aren’t likely to get cornerback Patrick Peterson on the sort of low-budget flier contract that might entice Cook or Thomas. Peterson is an eight-time Pro Bowler who played on a $7 million salary with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season.
Still, if the Giants can land the 33-year-old, they should. Peterson isn’t the top-tier cover corner he once was, but he’s still a dependable starter who appeared in all 17 games in 2023.
New York, meanwhile, had its fair share of coverage issues last season. The team finished 24th in net yards per pass attempt allowed and still has little proven depth behind 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks.
London Fletcher: Bobby Wagner brings Commanders instant credibility - Ivan Lambert, Yahoo Sports
The Commanders brought in a tested veteran to help their defense.
Bobby Wagner is 34 years of age, so how much can he bring to the Commanders?
Just days ago (June 27), Wagner had his 34th birthday. The vast majority of NFL players never make it to age 34. But of course, Wagner has proven to not be the vast majority of NFL players.
“Instant credibility.” That’s what London Fletcher said Wagner brings to the Washington defense. Fletcher was with Michael Jenkins and Fred Smoot discussing the Commanders linebacker position room.
“He still brings playmaking ability even at 34 years old. It reminds me of myself when I made the transition to DC,” added Fletcher.
“You bring him in first and foremost for his leadership. He’s a great leader. He’s been on great defenses. He knows how to run the system Dan Quinn wants.”
“It’s one thing to be a leader; it’s quite another to also be able to make plays, and he’s still a high-level playmaker.”
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