Micah Parsons didn’t exactly go rogue when he laid out his NFC East rankings. The former Cowboys standout, now with the Green Bay Packers, put the Philadelphia Eagles first and the Dallas Cowboys second, which tracks with the way plenty of people around the league are seeing the division right now.
The more interesting call came at No. 3, where Parsons landed on the Washington Commanders.
“At number three, I think this is going to be the hard one, but the Washington Commanders, they proved it. They went to the NFC Championship; they added talent.
I think this team can be the real deal. I don't know if they can handle the haymakers like the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, but time will tell.”
That’s the kind of answer the Commanders have heard a lot of lately: respect, but not full buy-in. Washington enters the 2026 season with plenty to prove, even after general manager Adam Peters overhauled the defense and gave the offense a lift by signing Stefon Diggs during training camp. There are still plenty of questions around the roster, but the idea is clear enough - this team wants to show it belongs.
Parsons’ ranking put the New York Giants at the bottom of the division, which is where most analysts and reporters have them as well. The usual order has the Eagles and Cowboys at the top, with Washington and New York following behind.
And that’s really the story here. Parsons, who knows the NFC East from his time in Dallas, echoed the same general read many others have: there’s a gap at the top, but the middle of the division isn’t settled by any stretch. The Commanders and Giants have both changed enough to create real uncertainty, and that’s part of why so many rankings play it safe.
Still, Parsons’ comments also hinted at something bigger than a simple list. He recognized that the division has more moving parts than a neat pecking order can capture. Even if the season ends the way most people expect, the NFC East should be tight enough to keep things interesting.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]