The New York Giants’ offseason is fully underway, and the roster is beginning to take shape under the leadership of John Harbaugh. While the ultimate goal is to bring another Super Bowl title to a once renowned New York Giants franchise, the journey back to contention is built on achieving the smaller milestones that have long eluded the franchise on a consistent basis.
Winning in the division is one of those milestones that the Giants have struggled to achieve. The Brian Daboll era was marred by divisional losses, and New York will look to switch those fortunes; it all starts with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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The New York Giants did defeat the Eagles, 34-17, on Thursday Night Football in 2025 – a game where Cam Skattebo scored three touchdowns. Still, the Eagles have won 13 straight home games against the Giants; the last time New York won at Lincoln Financial Field was in 2013 – a game where Matt Barkley started for the Eagles.
Philadelphia has won two Super Bowls since the last time the Giants defeated them on their home turf. Howie Roseman continues to show the NFL how to manage a roster, but Philadelphia has hit a few snafus along the way. Their offensive line is ageing, preeminent offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is no longer with the franchise, questions surround both the head coach and quarterback, and there is some turmoil in the locker room.
Nevertheless, Roseman and the Eagles have seemingly found a way to assuage the AJ Brown situation, albeit the nothing becomes ‘official’ till after June 1. Brown is rumored to be heading to New England in a trade at that time, which is logical when analyzing the trade up for USC wide receiver Makai Lemon and the selection of Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers.
As it pertains to the Giants, New York must find a way to consistently threaten the Philadelphia Eagles. They haven’t been a contender for quite sometime, and challenging Philadelphia – and the Dallas Cowboys – will be the first major steps to become the New York Giants of old. Let’s take a look, though, at how Philadelphia’s off-season went early in 2026.
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Key additions: WR Marquise Brown, QB Andy Dalton, edge Jonathan Greenard, WR Dontayvion Wicks, CB Riq Woolen, TE Johnny Mundt, RB Dameon Pierce, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, edge Arnold Ebitketie, CB Jonathan Jones, WR Elijah Moore
Key subtractions: S Reed Blankenship, LB Nakobe Dean, WR Jahan Dotson, edge Brandon Graham, CB Adoree’ Jackson, edge Jaelan Phillips
2026 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 20: Makai Lemon (WR, USC) (Trade two fourth rounders)
Round 2, Pick 54: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
Round 3, Pick 68: Markel Bell (OT, Miami)
Round 5, Pick 178: Cole Payton (QB, NDSU)
Round 6, Pick 207: Micah Morris (G, Georgia)
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Round 7 Picks: Cole Wisniewski (S), Uar Bernard (DT), and Keyshawn James-Newby (EDGE)
With Brown likely on his way out, the additions of Lemon and Stowers give the Eagles two young, quality weapons who aren’t limited to working the middle of the field, though that may be where they’re best utilized. That creates an intriguing dynamic for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ passing attack moving forward. Elijah Moore will compete for a roster spot as well, and is best suited as a middle of the field operative.
Hurts has historically struggled targeting over the middle of the field. He’s now on his seventh offensive coordinator since entering the league in 2020, and Shawn Mannion will be tasked to try and design an offense that can allow Hurts to comfortably see and target the middle of the field – this is Hurts fifth consecutive season with a different OC.
Roseman did add other offensive weapons that will allow the Eagles’ offense to stay vertical. Marquise Brown and Dontavyion Wicks both join DeVonta Smith in the wide receiver room, giving Mannion an effective and explosive 11 personnel package that is diverse. However, the addition of Stowers gave the Eagles a dynamic mismatch 12 personnel package that will dictate to the defense.
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Stowers isn’t a blocker, per se, but the combination of Dallas Goedert and Stowers – along with their current offensive line – does give the Eagles a more explosive 12 personnel pairing that can possibly get the play-action passing attack working. Plus, Grant Calcaterra is still on the roster at tight end, and the addition of Johnny Mundt will certainly help the rushing attack.
Andy Dalton is a solid addition as a veteran backup to compete with Tanner McKee behind Hurts, and Dameon Pierce will compete with Carson Steele on special teams for snaps. Big hulking Markel Bell was also selected out of Miami to replenish the offensive line depth; he will be a developmental piece behind Lane Johnson at right tackle, and this could be the future Hall of Famers final season.
The Eagles finished 19th in points scored last year, averaging just 22.3 points per game, after finishing seventh in 2024 (27.2 PPG) on their way to their second Super Bowl title. Last year, though, the Eagles finished 11-6 with another NFC East title, but it was their elite defense that only allowed 325 points against (fifth-best in the NFL) that lead the way.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is one of the best football minds in the sport, and he received plenty of personnel upgrades to replenish the loss of edge Jalen Phillips, safety Reed Blankenship, and linebacker Nakobe Dean.
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Roseman traded two fourth round picks for Jonathan Greenard, Arnold Ebiketie, and signed Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to join Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt on the edge. Greenard is just 28 years old and is coming off a 47 pressure season on 270 pass rushing snaps with Brian Flores and the Vikings.
Greenard had 84 pressures in his first seasons with Flores and 53 pressures in 2023 with Houston. He was a massive acquisition by Roseman. Ebiketie returns to Pennsylvania after four solid seasons with the Falcon – he signed a one-year, $4.3 million contract that can reach $7.3 million in incentives.
The trenches were upgraded and filled with depth, with Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell still operating inside, but arguably the most significant upgrade was made at cornerback; Roseman signed Riq Woolen, formerly of the Seattle Seahawks, to a one-year, $12-million contract. Woolen replaces Adoree’ Jackson, who was the biggest liability for Fangio’s defense last season. Veteran Jonathan Jones was signed as depth behind Cooper DeJean.
Philadelphia did not draft a defensive player until the seventh round when they selected three. The plan to hone in on young offensive developmental pieces through the draft to become a different type of offense was obvious, but I did also love the swing on Nigerian International Pathway Program player Uar Bernard.
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Rosman found All-Pro left tackle, Jordan Mailata, in the seventh round of the 2018 draft, and he attempted a similar swing with Bernard, who possess 36-inch arms and a rare athletic profile in a muscular twitchy body. His foundational traits are uncommon, and he’s well worth the selection in the seventh round.
Final thoughts
The Eagles’ offseason is not over yet, and the Brown domino has yet to officially fall. Still, Philadelphia is in a transitional period — one that places their quarterback in a situation he has yet to consistently prove he can navigate effectively, particularly when it comes to maximizing two top draft assets who would be best utilized over the middle of the field.
Philadelphia is likely losing its best receiving threat, but the Eagles 11 personnel package is more flexible and their multi-tight-end sets are more explosive, while maintaining a physical nature with the addition of Mundt. The loss of Jeff Stoutland could have a deleterious effect on the offensive line, as a whole, and that can’t be understated.
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New offensive line coach, Chris Kuper, has legendary shows to fill, but unlocking third round pick Markel Bell’s potential would make the Eagles’ 2026 draft that much more impactful. I do like what the Eagles did defensively, specifically getting Woolen to replace Adoree’ Jackson, but I wouldn’t say there were massive upgrades along the defense, for three quality players did walk out the door in free agency.
Overall, the Eagles had a solid offseason, but questions still remain offensively on the ceiling of the offense with the current personnel. It was a solid offseason, but I wouldn’t say it was spectacular.
Grade: B-
