Eagles Enter Offseason in Disarray, Opening the Door for NFC East Rivals
The Philadelphia Eagles may have topped the NFC East this past season, but the cracks in their foundation didn’t just show-they split wide open when it mattered most. The postseason exposed a team that, while still talented, was clearly out of sync. And now, just weeks into the offseason, the Eagles are dealing with a full-blown identity crisis.
Meanwhile, just down the I-95 corridor, the Washington Commanders are watching closely. Dan Quinn’s first year in charge nearly ended with a Super Bowl berth, and while his team ultimately fell short, the chaos unfolding in Philadelphia could offer a clear path to contention-if Washington can get its own house in order.
Let’s start with the Eagles. The coaching carousel hasn’t just been spinning-it’s been spinning out of control.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was shown the door, and the team has since brought in Sean Mannion to take over the role. That’s a bold move, considering Mannion is still relatively untested in this capacity.
Meanwhile, rumors swirled about star receiver A.J. Brown’s future with the team, adding more fuel to an already smoldering fire.
On the defensive side, respected coordinator Vic Fangio reportedly flirted with retirement before ultimately staying on. But the biggest blow came when longtime offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland decided to call it a career. That’s not just a loss-it’s a seismic shift for an offense that has long leaned on its elite line play as a cornerstone of its identity.
And Stoutland’s departure wasn’t just about age or burnout. According to league insiders, it stemmed from a breakdown in communication and trust.
As the Eagles’ offense sputtered late in the season, head coach Nick Sirianni and Patullo began tweaking the run game without Stoutland’s input. That decision, reportedly, didn’t sit well with the veteran coach-so much so that he no longer wanted the title of run game coordinator, feeling the role no longer reflected his actual responsibilities.
That kind of internal friction doesn’t just go away in the offseason. It lingers.
It festers. And for a team that prides itself on cohesion and continuity, it’s a troubling sign.
So where does that leave the rest of the division?
For Washington, the opportunity is there-but it comes with its own set of challenges. Quinn is installing a brand-new staff, including two coordinators who have never called plays at the NFL level.
That’s a gamble, especially with a roster likely headed for significant turnover. But if it hits?
If Quinn can bring the kind of discipline and defensive identity he’s known for, and the offense finds its footing? The Commanders could be right back in the thick of the NFC East race.
And they won’t be alone. The Dallas Cowboys, always lurking, will believe their window is still wide open.
The New York Giants made a headline-grabbing move of their own, bringing in John Harbaugh as their new head coach after his long and successful run with the Ravens. That’s a culture-shifting hire, and one that signals the Giants are serious about getting back to relevance.
The NFC East has always been a battleground, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different. But for the first time in a while, the Eagles don’t look like the team to beat. They look like a team trying to hold it all together.
If the Commanders can capitalize-and that’s still a big “if”-this could be the moment they’ve been waiting for. A chance to flip the script. A chance to rise while their rivals stumble.
The Eagles aren’t done. But they’re vulnerable. And in a division this competitive, that might be all it takes.