The four NFC East teams–the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders–all had intrigue surrounding their first day of 2024 Free Agency.
The main topic of discussion, of course, surrounded Saquon Barkley’s impending fate. Early in the afternoon, that shoe dropped, as Barkley signed a 37.5 million dollar deal to leave New York and head south to Philadelphia. Later on in the day, the Giants made the biggest noise, acquiring Brian Burns in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
In the middle of all of this, the Commanders made moves of their own, while Dallas sat silent. After a day full of other wild moves, we need to rewind and recount what moves these four clubs made and where they will be headed next.
Dallas Was the Quietest of NFC East Clubs
Dallas has gone 12-5 the past three seasons, winning the NFC East all three times. They would fail to reach the NFC Championship in all three. A team that desperately needed to go all in to start Free Agency, sat idly by and watched three key players all leave. Tony Pollard started the day by leaving the team to head to Tennessee.
As the day wore on, Tyler Biadasz and Dorrace Armstrong also inked deals with other clubs. Biadasz joined the Commanders, while the six-year veteran edge rusher joined him in Washington under new HC Dan Quinn. For the most part, Dallas remained quiet on day one.
Eagles Made The Biggest Move
Philadelphia needed to make a splash on day one of Free Agency after having collapsed from their 10-1 start to open 2023, losing the NFC East crown in the process. The team could only then watch as Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox rode into the sunset.
Philadelphia opened the first day of legal tampering by losing D’Andre Swift to the Chicago Bears. The Barkley deal would happen not long after. Bryce Huff would make history, but not in a way beneficial to the team, as the Eagles lost him to the Jets during the day’s frenzy.
Commanders Made Six Moves
And two of those six moves were for Biadasz and Armstrong. Another intriguing move was the team signing Austin Ekeler away from Los Angeles, on an 11.4 million dollar deal for two seasons. Of the four NFC East clubs, the Commanders are likely seeking to draft a quarterback with their #2 overall pick.
Biadasz is immediate help at the center position for whoever the Commanders turn to at QB, whether it be Sam Howell or the next rookie up. As of this moment, it is up in the air which of the two remaining quarterbacks Washington chooses to draft after Caleb Williams goes #1 overall. Jayden Daniels currently leads the way in most mocks.
Washington Commanders NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Jayden Daniels is the popular pick at #2#HTTChttps://t.co/dGQJ1nggon
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) March 11, 2024
Giants Improved Defensive Line, Offensive Line
Of the four NFC East clubs, the New York Giants faced a critical day. Barkley’s deal with the Eagles came down in the early afternoon, then Xavier McKinney was signed away to the Packers later in the afternoon.
Not long after Barkley’s deal was signed, the Giants brought in Devin Singletary as an immediate replacement. The Giants would bring in both Jon Runyan and Jermaine Eluemunor to shore up the offensive line.
Late in the day, the Giants would bring Brian Burns to the NFC East. The team traded a second and fifth round selection to acquire the star edge rusher’s services, then made him the league’s second-highest paid defensive end.
🚨 🚨 🚨
Trade! The #Panthers are trading star Brian Burns — at last! — to the #Giants, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
Burns lands a 5-year deal worth $150M max with $87.5M guaranteed, done by Todd France of @AthletesFirst.
Carolina sends Burns to NYG for a 2nd and 5th rounders.… pic.twitter.com/UpdtdzB6s6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2024
Of the Four NFC East Teams, Who Won and Lost Day 1?
The Eagles and the Giants both arguably won this NFC East battle on the first day of Free Agency. The Eagles got Barkley and will be able to contend once more in the NFC. While the Giants lost both Barkley and McKinney, they too found massive upgrades in Burns and reliable offensive line help in Runyan and Eluemunor. The Commanders made further progress towards preparing for a rookie QB, with smart moves of their own.
The Cowboys, therefore, were the NFC East’s Biggest Losers on Day 1 of 2024 Free Agency. Losing Pollard to Tennessee was one issue, while Biadasz and Armstrong being signed away to division rivals hurt just as much.
Tune in tomorrow for continued NFL Free Agency coverage.