5 bold predictions for NFC East in 2021 following free agency
If this off-season is any indication, the NFC East won’t be the running joke of the National Football League again in 2021, especially if the suddenly big-spending NY Giants have any say in the matter.
The division that faced the most scrutiny all last season spent big in free agency – the top three teams putting money where their mouths are. Even the last place team, the Philadelphia Eagles, accumulated assets – gaining a couple high draft picks for their former quarterback, Carson Wentz.
The Giants perhaps made the flashier moves in free agency – making Kenny Golladay and Adoree’ Jackson very rich men. In addition to the new faces in town, they spent big to keep their own – inking defensive star Leonard Williams to a monster deal.
Williams and the NY Giants ended their saga, and the Dallas Cowboys ended a saga of their own as well – finally signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term deal. After locking up their signal caller to a 4 year, $160 million deal, they’re going to expect him to play at an elite level.
Finally, the defending division champions have a couple of new stars on offense – the Washington Football Team signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel to jumpstart the unit. On the other side of the ball, they brought in defensive back William Jackson III – a move that looks even better with the Giants’ signing of Golladay.
The division has undergone a facelift in free agency – but what does that mean for the 2021 season?
Here’s five bold predictions for the NFC East after free agency.
1) The Philadelphia Eagles select a quarterback in the 2021 Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles have had ample opportunities to commit to second-year quarterback, Jalen Hurts – and they haven’t.
General manager Howie Roseman has been outspoken about the team exploring all their options, even the idea of a quarterback they like falling to them at sixth overall.
"“We’re excited about that opportunity here coming up,” Roseman said, in a press conference earlier this month. “Hopefully, we’re never in this spot again picking where we’re picking, but at the same time, make the most of it.”"
One way to make the most of it is to get a signal caller you wholeheartedly believe in.
Whether coach Doug Pederson went rogue or Roseman gave the order from above, the team’s treatment of Hurts in their Week 17 debacle against Washington told you everything. In a game that could’ve given their rookie quarterback valuable experience, they opted to play career back-up, Nate Sudfeld.
If Roseman falls in love with Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, Hurts isn’t stopping him. If the Eagles general manager doesn’t believe Hurts can return the team to their former glory, he’s playing on borrowed time.
Even after signing Joe Flacco to a deal that could be worth $4 million, Flacco isn’t the long-term answer, and the Eagles don’t know if Hurts is, either.
The ‘quarterback factory’ in Philadelphia gets another member.