What all the Dallas Cowboys’ NFC East rivals have done in free agency
It’s been two weeks since NFL free agency opened on March 11. And while there are still some notable names left on the open market, the bulk of the roster turnover has already happened for the majority of the 32 teams in the NFL.
For the Cowboys, retaining top talent like wide receiver George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams were big priorities to keep consistency on the offensive side of the ball, and adding defenders like safety Jalen Thompson, defensive end Rashan Gary and cornerback Cobie Durant could go a long way toward flipping one of the league’s worst defenses in 2025.
Dallas wasn’t the only team looking to improve in its division, though. The Cowboys’ NFC East foes all made some notable moves at the opening of the league year two weeks ago.
Let’s dive into some of the new pieces for the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders:
Philadelphia Eagles
Key additions: CB Riq Woolen, WR Marquise Brown, DE Arnold Ebiketie
Key losses: DE Jaelan Phillips, LB Nakobe Dean, S Reed Blankenship
Bumped right against the salary cap, the Eagles were not in a position to spend like they have in recent years. But still, general manager Howie Roseman was able to put some appropriate pieces in some important spots.
Losing Phillips to the Carolina Panthers was one of the league’s biggest free agency upsets, as the Eagles looked positioned to retain his services before the Panthers came in with a lucrative offer. Losing two key communicators in Dean and Blankenship could also negatively impact what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has on his side of the ball in 2026, but adding one of the league’s more undervalued pass rushers in Ebiketie comes across as yet another savvy move for the Philadelphia front office.
Adding Woolen, a former Fort Worth Arlington Heights standout, has boom-or-bust potential, especially with a $12 million price tag. Without former pass game coordinator and new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker helping things behind the scenes and some new faces in the secondary, early-season issues could come about defensively. But like any team, how quickly those issues get resolved will tell the story for the two-time defending division champs.
One thing to monitor as the offseason carries on is the situation surrounding wide receiver A.J. Brown. After years of vocal displeasure in Philadelphia, he seems bound to end up traded before training camp. Adding Brown seems to show that the Eagles are preparing for life without him.
New York Giants
Key additions: TE Isaiah Likely, LB Tremaine Edmunds, CB Greg Newsome
Key losses: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, CB Cor’Dale Flott
As the Giants look to build around their newfound young core of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, this offseason hasn’t quite injected a lot of confidence around those two aside from the hiring of new head coach John Harbaugh.
Losing an explosive weapon like Robinson and a reliable corner like Flott to the Tennessee Titans may not be seismic on the surface, but there will be ripple effects from those two departures on both sides of the ball. That being said, adding Likely gives Dart a versatile offensive weapon in case wide receiver Malik Nabers needs more time to heal from his torn ACL, and Newsome gives the Giants secondary the veteran presence that Flott vacated.
The most notable departures are ones who haven’t found new teams, though, as quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Okereke are not expected to return in 2026. Both held their own respective leadership roles and will need replacing next season.
Washington Commanders
Key additions: DE Odafe Oweh, DE K’Lavon Chaisson, S Nick Cross, TE Chig Okonkwo, LB Leo Chenal, DE Charles Omenihu
Key losses: C Tyler Biadasz
After finishing 2025 with the worst total defense in the NFL, head coach Dan Quinn had to add some pieces to keep his good status in the nation’s capital. Injecting a lot of life into the pass rush, Oweh and Chaisson have the potential to be division wreckers. And with veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner still on the open market, a value linebacker in Chenal is a sneaky good add.
In a cap-saving move, the Commanders released the former Cowboys center Biadasz, meaning they will be on the hunt for a new player in the middle of their offensive line.
Even though the first couple of waves of free agency are over, the Commanders still have some huge names in the open market. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, Wagner, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and defensive end Von Miller all remain open for work.
