The NFL playoffs are in full swing, however a lot of you might be most likely already desirous about the offseason.
Forward of the divisional-round video games, Yardbarker NFL writers supply a prediction concerning the offseason for every NFC workforce. (The regular-season file for every workforce is in parentheses.)
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10) | Dallas drafts a first-round working again | The Cowboys selected to not draft a working again in final yr’s draft and had been lucky to get a career-high 1,079 yards dashing from pending free agent Rico Dowdle in 2024. With little-used Deuce Vaughn because the workforce’s solely RB signed for 2025, proprietor Jerry Jones received’t hesitate to pick Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 choose, particularly now that the previous standout at Frisco Lone Star Excessive Faculty has stated he needs to play for the Cowboys.
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-14) | The workforce takes J.J. McCarthy in spite of everything | Had New York not signed QB Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160M contract extension in 2023, they might have drafted McCarthy, who went to the Vikings with the tenth choose in final yr’s draft. If the Vikings follow Sam Darnold, the NFL’s fifth-leading passer, Giants GM Joe Schoen will gladly take a mulligan by sending Minnesota the third total choose on this yr’s draft to get the younger QB, who had a 27-1 file as a starter at Michigan.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3) | HC Nick Sirianni will get a brand new deal | His juvenile antics might be arduous to take for even die-hard Eagles followers, however it’s arduous to argue with Sirianni’s 53-23 file (together with playoffs) as Philly head coach. His present contract runs via the 2025 season, however after a 14-win season and a franchise file 10-game profitable streak in 2024, proprietor Jeffrey Lurie will give his coach no less than three extra years and a considerable increase over his roughly $6M annual wage.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5) | The Commanders double down on offensive linemen | The offensive line was a lot improved over the unit that allowed 65 sacks final season, however the workforce nonetheless gave up the sixth-most sacks (47) within the NFL. After watching rookie QB Jayden Daniels scramble for a league-high 584 yards within the common season, GM Adam Peters will add an offensive lineman within the draft (Ohio State’s Andrew Wylie?) and free company (Philadelphia’s Mekhi Becton?). — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-9) | Cardinals commerce for WR Tyreek Hill | The Cardinals have the proper mixture of salary-cap house and stress to make huge strikes to get the group again into the playoffs. One other playmaker for QB Kyler Murray would go a great distance towards doing that, and although Hill and the Dolphins appear to have smoothed issues over following his “I’m out” feedback, he might nonetheless most likely be had in a commerce.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) | Rams signal CB D.J. Reed in free company | The Rams made appreciable investments in protection final offseason, however they lack within the secondary. They might use a big improve to separate themselves as an NFL contender. Reed was a shiny spot on an in any other case unhealthy Jets workforce and must be among the many greatest corners out there on the open market.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-11) | 49ers commerce WR Deebo Samuel | WR Brandon Aiyuk received his cash final yr, and QB Brock Purdy will possible get his this offseason. The 49ers usually are not going to maintain all people, and with Samuel getting into the ultimate yr of his deal and beginning to present indicators of decline (670 yards receiving in 2024), the time is correct for them to maneuver on.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-7) | Seahawks make huge free-agent splash with heart Ryan Kelly | The Seahawks have wanted to improve the inside of their offensive line for years however have constantly fallen quick in doing so. It’s time for a severe funding within the center, and including Kelly, a four-time Professional Bowl participant with the Indianapolis Colts, to assist anchor the center of the road might be a big game-changer for the offense. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (5-12) | Bears commerce as much as take two offensive linemen in first spherical | Chicago desperately must assemble an offensive line to guard QB Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 choice. There is not any higher manner to take action than by drafting two younger stars. The Bears can package deal their two early second-round picks (No. 39 and No. 41 total) with different concerns to leap again into the primary spherical, probably snagging LSU sort out Will Campbell and/or Alabama guard Tyler Booker.
DETROIT LIONS (15-2) | Lions commerce for CB Denzel Ward | With OC Ben Johnson possible securing a head-coaching gig this offseason, Detroit received’t be capable to rely as closely on elite offensive manufacturing to counter their weak protection. The Browns are getting into a full-blown rebuild and is likely to be keen to half with Ward and his hefty $100.5M contract for a late first-round choose.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6) | Packers commerce CB Jaire Alexander | Per NBC Sports activities’ Kelly Hallinan, Alexander declined to talk a lot with the media following Inexperienced Bay’s wild-card loss to the Eagles, noting he was uncertain if he would return to the workforce in 2025. The 2-time second-team All-Professional cornerback could be in excessive demand on the commerce market, probably going for a number of second and third-round draft picks.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3) | Vikings don’t re-sign QB Sam Darnold | Regardless of being in MVP discussions early within the season after main Minnesota to a 5-0 begin, Darnold struggled when it mattered most, throwing only one landing go over the ultimate two video games of the season, together with in an 18-point wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With McCarthy getting back from harm in 2025, Darnold could have blown his remaining alternative to retain Minnesota’s beginning gig. — Josh Eaton
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Purchase Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby | Atlanta should enhance its terrible go rush, however it could possibly’t anticipate a rookie to complete the job. As a substitute, the Falcons could be sensible to commerce for Crosby, who has 59.5 sacks in his first six seasons.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12) | Signal linebacker Zack Baun in free company | Carolina’s protection ended the season because the workforce’s greatest legal responsibility, and it wants a QB in the course of the sector to man the unit. Baun signed a one-year prove-it cope with the Eagles and have become a first-team All-Professional, making him the best choice to start a defensive turnaround.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-12) | Commerce down in 2025 NFL Draft |This is likely to be essentially the most unrealistic NFC South prediction. Historical past means that GM Mickey Loomis is likely to be extra more likely to commerce up from No. 9 total to pick the fifth-best defensive finish, however he’ll obtain a proposal that’s too good to reject on draft day and purchase extra picks for New Orleans’ rebuild.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7) | Invoice Belichick coaches the workforce in 2025 | In December, earlier than Belichick turned North Carolina’s head coach, Professional Soccer Speak’s Mike Florio mentioned the potential retirement of head coach Todd Bowles and Tampa Bay hiring the six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach. Belichick has a $10M buyout with the Tar Heels, however that’s chump change for the Bucs, who might change into a respectable Tremendous Bowl risk by making the transfer. — Eric Smithling
