Free Agency Recap — NFC East: Eagles Step Back, Giants Close the Gap

Over the next week, we’re going to discuss the early returns for each NFL team in the free agency period. But first, a couple of notes about the structure and theme of these free agency recaps:

  • We’ll do these free agency recaps four teams at a time, grouped by division
  • These are early returns on the action that we saw between the start of the legal tampering period on March 13 and the end of the day on March 27.
  • There will be no arbitrary “grades” assigned.
  • If your favorite team didn’t get the love you expected, just know that I’m not sorry.
  • Let’s have some fun and talk some football.
  • Washington Commanders

    Washington had another .500-ish season in 2022, in what may very well be Daniel Snyder’s final as the owner of the Commanders. The free agency recap was about as underwhelming for the Commanders.

    Notable Acquisitions

  • DT Daron Payne (4 years, $90 million)
  • OT Andrew Wylie (3 years, $24 million)
  • DB Danny Johnson (2 years, $7 million)
  • LB Cody Barton (1 year, $3.5 million)
  • QB Jacoby Brissett (1 year, $10 million)
  • DE Efe Obada (1 year, $3 million)
  • Summary

    Ron Rivera says Sam Howell will get the first crack at the QB1 role in 2023. Still, the Commanders brought veteran Jacoby Brissett to compete with Howell in camp. Rivera also said at the owner’s meetings this week that Washington hasn’t ruled out the possibility of drafting a quarterback next month.

    Aside from bringing in Brissett and tackle Andrew Wylie, the Commanders inked defensive tackle Daron Payne to a four-year, $90 million extension.

    Dallas Cowboys

    Dallas bowed out of the NFC playoffs early again in 2022. So, they said goodbye to OC Kellen Moore as Mike McCarthy looks to do things his way in 2023.

    Notable Acquisitions

  • RB Tony Pollard (franchise tag)
  • S Donovan Wilson (3 years, $24 million)
  • CB Stephon Gilmore (trade)
  • LB Leighton Vander Esch (2 years, $11 million)
  • WR Brandin Cooks (trade)
  • CB C.J. Goodwin (1 year, $1.3 million)
  • Summary

    The Cowboys also said goodbye to long-time running back Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas cut Zeke and franchised tagged Tony Pollard.

    They also got Dak Prescott some more help in the receiving game by trading for Brandin Cooks and paired Trevon Diggs with veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore. But, overall, it was an underwhelming free agency period for a team needing upgrades to get over the divisional round hump that’s ended their season in back-to-back years.

    Philadelphia Eagles

    The defending NFC Champions took a significant hit in the coaching staff and on the defensive side of the ball.

    Notable Acquisitions

  • RB Rashaad Penny (1 year, $1.3 million)
  • QB Marcus Mariota (1 year, $8 million)
  • DT Fletcher Cox (1 year, $10 million)
  • CB James Bradberry (3 years, $38 million)
  • DE Brandon Graham (1 year, $2 million)
  • CB Darius Slay (2 years, $42 million extension)
  • Summary

    Philadelphia re-signed Fletcher Cox, James Bradberry, Darius Slay, and Brandon Graham to new deals or extensions. However, they saw C.J. Gardner-Johnson, T.J. Edwards, Marcus Epps, and Kyzir White depart via free agency.

    The Eagles also lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators with Shane Steichen (Colts) and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals) taking head coaching jobs.

    The Eagles added Marcus Mariota as Jalen Hurts’ new backup QB with Gardner Minshew following Shane Steichen to Indianapolis. Mariota signed a one-year, $5 million deal worth up to $8 million.

    New York Giants

    The Giants juggled the impending free agency of both their starting QB and RB and did so pretty well.

    Notable Acquisitions

  • QB Daniel Jones (4 years, $160 million)
  • RB Saquon Barkley (franchise tag)
  • TE Darren Waller (trade)
  • LB Bobby Okereke (4 years, $40 million)
  • WR Paris Campbell (1 year, $1.7 million)
  • WR Sterling Shepard (1 year, $1.3 million)
  • DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (3 years, $12 million)
  • Summary

    After beating the clock to extend quarterback Daniel Jones to a new four-year, $160 million extension earlier this month, the Giants tagged Saquon Barkley. Thus, both stars were back in New York for at least the 2023 season.

    New York also re-signed Isaiah Hodgins and Sterling Shepard and added Darren Waller and Paris Campbell to the offense. The Giants made an early splash on defense, inking linebacker Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million deal.

    While the Giants didn’t close the gap between themselves and the Eagles and Cowboys, they definitely narrowed it.

    written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

    more nfl news

    Arizona Cardinals Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits

    The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a tough season that saw plenty of losses. Just like any rebuilding team though, there are reasons to be hopeful. New head coach Jonathan Gannon seems to be well liked by the team. He...

    Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together a Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft today. Baltimore Ravens 7-Round Mock Draft Round 1, Pick 30: WR Roman Wilson, Michigan Lamar Jackson is the reigning AP and PFWA...

    Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Atlanta Falcons 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Falcons have seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and will be looking to fill out their roster around new...

    Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft

    The NFL Draft is right around the corner, and we're putting together an Arizona Cardinals 7-Round Mock Draft today. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks and three third-round picks, giving them plenty...

    Falcons Send Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for Another Wide Receiver

    The Atlanta Falcons have been doing everything right this week. On Monday, they solved their quarterback problem by signing Kirk Cousins, making Desmond Ridder expendable. Today, Atlanta traded Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals for another wide receiver, Rondale Moore. Atlanta...

    NFL Free Agency Winners & Losers: Texans Among the Big Winners; Cowboys Go MIA, More

    While NFL free agency isn't "over," most teams around the league have completed the brunt of the heavy lifting. So, let's discuss some NFL free agency winners and losers.  NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers NFL Free Agency Winners Vikings...

    Mike Williams Landing Spots in 2024: Patriots, Chiefs, and Giants Among Best Fits

    In a move many didn't see coming, the Los Angeles Chargers released wide receiver Mike Williams on Wednesday, March 13th, saving a whopping $20 million against their salary cap. He's now free to test out the NFL waters to determine...

    NFL Free Agency Tracker: Live Updates, Rumors, Signings and Trades

    As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2024 NFL Free Agency period, football fans eagerly await the flurry of activity set to unfold in the coming days. Stay up to date with our live NFL Free Agency...

    Derrick Henry Signs with the Baltimore Ravens

    According to multiple reports, Derrick Henry has agreed to a two-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Henry confirmed the news by posting on social media that he is excited to join "Flock Nation." Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports Derrick Henry's contract...

    The Panthers are Trading Brian Burns to the New York Giants

    The Carolina Panthers are sending star pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants in a trade this afternoon. Ian Rapoport confirmed the trade and extension for Burns, but local Panthers beat reporter Sheena Quick was the first to...

    Latest News

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

    Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

    Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

    Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

    Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

    The Vancouver Canucks are fancied by oddsmakers to defeat the Buffalo Sabres when they match up on Tuesday at 10:00 PM ET, with the Canucks at -205 on the moneyline, and the visiting Sabres at +170.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline,...

    OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

    Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

    De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

    Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

    Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

    Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

    At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

    Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

    The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

    more nfl news