The Washington Post’s Ryan Dunleavy breaks down the NFC East storylines heading into training camp.
Dallas Cowboys
coach: Mike McCarthy (5th year)
Location of the training camp: Oxnard, California
Main additions: was it there?
RB Ezekiel Elliott has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over the past four seasons, but does he count his return after one year with the Patriots?
Lineback Eric Kendricks opted out of his contract with the Chargers to reunite with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
First-round draft pick Tyler Guyton is likely to start at left tackle.
Main losses: Future Hall of Fame LT Tyron Smith signed an incentive-laden contract with the Jets, but the Cowboys didn’t offer anything to match.
C Tyler Biadasz and EDGEs Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Dante Fowler Jr. followed Dan Quinn to the Commanders.
Two former 1,000-yard weapons, RB Tony Pollard and WR Michael Gallup, went to the Titans and Raiders, respectively, and CB Stephon Gilmore remains unsigned.
Notable training camp stories: Contract negotiations with Dak Prescott appear to have stalled, and the NFL’s current leader in touchdown passes (36) may find himself playing for a huge free-agent contract after next offseason because he cannot be franchise-tagged.
WR CeeDee Lamb also isn’t happy with his contract situation.
Is EDGE Micah Parsons?
McCarthy is under as much pressure as any coach in the NFL and can’t afford a slow start.
CB Trevon Diggs will return from a torn ACL.
This may be the final season for nine-time Pro Bowl RG Zack Martin.
Philadelphia Eagles
coach: Nick Sirianni (4th year)
Location of the training camp: Philadelphia
Main additions: General manager Howie Roseman shocked the NFL by nabbing Saquon Barkley from the Giants for a huge amount of money, going against the conventional logic of the running back market.
DE Bryce Huff, LB Devin White and DB CJ Gardner-Johnson bolster a defense that was hurting late last season.
QB Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ 2022 first-round draft pick, will get a fresh start as the backup.
Main losses: Huff has high expectations as he replaces EDGE Haason Reddick, who recorded 27 sacks in 34 games over the past two years.
Redick replaced Huff with the Jets.
RB D’Andre Swift and S Kevin Byard both turned out to be one-year rentals before being traded to the Bears.
C Jason Kelce and DT Fletcher Cox, who played a combined 381 games for the Eagles, have both retired.
Notable training camp stories: Last year’s disastrous defeat, going from mid-season Super Bowl favorite to being eliminated in the playoffs in one year, could leave the team frustrated or a harbinger of bad things to come.
Are the Eagles still built to dominate on both sides of the line of scrimmage?
Cam Jurgens will move to center and RG Tyler Steen will be the new starter.
Former first-round draft pick DT Jordan Davis is reaching now-or-never-lasting territory.
Will the Eagles go with some older guys at cornerback (James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox) or some younger guys (Quinion Mitchell, Cooper DeJean)?
New York Giants
coach: Brian Daboll (3rd grade)
Location of the training camp: East Rutherford, New Jersey
Main additions: The free agent spending was directed at the offensive line (RG Jon Runyan Jr. and LG Jermaine El-Muneaux), but the most game-changing rookies were acquired via trade (EDGE Brian Barnes) and the draft (WR Malik Neighbors).
RB Devin Singletary is the only experienced rusher.
Two rookies, safety Tyler Nubin and cornerback Jrue Phillips, are likely to start in the secondary.
Main losses: The offense, ranked 30th in the NFL in scoring, lost its top two playmakers in running back Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and tight end Darren Waller (retired).
The defense also took a big hit with the departures of safety Xavier McKinney (Packers) and defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson (Panthers) in free agency.
The Giants’ longest-tenured player is no longer Sterling Shepard (Buccaneers).
In the backup quarterback battle, Tyrod Taylor (Jets) will leave and QB Drew Lock will join the team.
Notable training camp stories: That could start and end with quarterback Daniel Jones’ health after tearing his ACL last season.
When will he take part in 11-on-11 drills?
When will he be allowed contact?
Will he display scrambling ability?
But keeping Jones healthy will be the responsibility of an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks in NFL history (85) last season.
This new configuration will depend in large part on whether RT Evan Neal can salvage an unfortunate situation as he recovers from ankle surgery.
What amazing catches will Neighbors make every day?
Washington Commanders
coach: Dan Quinn (first year)
Location of the training camp: Ashburn, Virginia
Main additions: Quinn, a former Cowboys defensive coordinator, added four new EDGEs in Dorance Amstrong Jr., Dexter Fowler Jr., Frankie Luv and Clelin Ferrell, in addition to LB Bobby Wagner and S Jeremy Chinn.
C Tyler Biadasz is part of a much-needed offensive line revamp.
Are RB Austin Ekeler, TE Zach Ertz and QB Marcus Mariota past their prime?
The Commanders had four players selected in the top 53 of the draft, including quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Main losses: RB Antonio Gibson (Patriots) and WR Curtis Samuel (Bills) are gone after finishing third and fourth on the team in scrimmage yards, respectively.
The secondary will look different with the losses of S Cam Curl (Rams) and CB Kendall Fuller (Dolphins).
With Jacoby Brissett returning to the Patriots and Sam Howell being traded to the Seahawks, the quarterback room has been completely revamped.
Notable training camp stories: What rookie quarterback will the Commanders use Daniels as, and will they start him in Week 1?
Do they let him learn behind Mariota until the veteran gets his first chance to show?
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is known for his high-octane offense, but protecting the quarterback is a must.
An offensive line that allowed 65 sacks last season has four starters, but there are big questions at left tackle.
Can third-round pick Brandon Coleman handle the job as a rookie?
Similar uncertainty exists at cornerback.
