NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

The Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have been working on a long-term deal for over a year now. Still, there’s no resolution apparent as Prescott is currently set to play out the 2020 season on the franchise tag unless the two sides can reach an agreement before July 15. Throughout the entire process, though, Dallas has consistently insisted they have no doubts about Prescott as a franchise quarterback. 

“Dak’s our guy,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt via the Athletic’s Jon Machota. “No one thinks more of Dak Prescott than Jerry Jones and myself. I know (HC) Mike (McCarthy) when he signed on, part of why he signed on was Dak Prescott. It’s just getting it done.”

It’s still somewhat unclear what exactly is holding up the deal. Dallas typically prefers longer deals, while Prescott almost assuredly wants the chance to get another long-term deal if the cap spikes like many projections anticipated before the pandemic. The average annual value is also a sticking point. Both Rams QB Jared Goff and Eagles QB Carson Wentz signed for less than Seahawks QB Russell Wilson‘s $35 million per year, but with Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Texans QB Deshaun Watson eligible for extensions, the price could soon jump much higher. 

“The bigger these deals get, Jerry and I have always found that to be the case in business, the bigger the dollars get, the harder they get,” Jones said. “We believe in our track record of getting players signed. I totally believe we’ll get Dak signed at the right number that’s good for Dak, good for the Cowboys, good for this team. And I think at the end of the day, the fact that we’re getting some nice hype for our draft, I think he’s going to want to get in here and get with these players, whether it’s CeeDee Lamb or anyone else. He wants to win.”

• According to Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, the Cowboys are projected to receive third, fourth, fifth and seventh-round compensatory picks in 2021. 

Eagles

• Over The Cap’s Nick Korte writes the Eagles are projected to receive two sixth-round compensatory picks in 2021. 
• However, Korte adds that because DT Timmy Jernigan‘s deal has apparently not been processed or announced by the Texans, Philadelphia could lose a pick if that deal is voided. 
• Eagles RB Corey Clement said he told his agent to make a deal happen in Philadelphia or nowhere, as he didn’t want to play anywhere else. (Zach Berman)

Giants

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline mentions the Giants have been so far unwilling to meet LB Markus Golden‘s request on a one-year deal, let alone a long-term contract. 
• He adds there’s still a fair chance OT Nate Solder starts for the Giants at left tackle if the abridged offseason impacts rookie OT Andrew Thomas‘ development. 
• SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano writes while the offensive line should be better, it’s still potentially a transition year to build continuity, as the two guards are the only starters who can be projected in the same spots in 2021. 
• Vacchiano says the Giants aren’t trading TE Evan Engram now that the draft is over, despite the rumors. 

Redskins

Given how much of what happens in the NFL is driven by prior relationships, the Redskins were naturally speculated as a potential home for former Panthers QB Cam Newton. The only head coach he’s ever played for, Ron Rivera, was put out by Carolina along with Newton and 2019 first-round QB Dwayne Haskins didn’t exactly set the world on fire as a rookie like Newton did. When given a chance to acquire a familiar face, Rivera instead traded a fifth-round pick for Newton’s backup last year, Kyle Allen. But he’s not necessarily ruling out a reunion with Newton at some point down the road. 

“You know, the thing about Cam really is the situation,” Rivera said via NFL Media’s Nick Shook. “We’re in a situation where we’ve got two really young quarterbacks, one that’s been with us, been in the system, understands how we want things done and the other one is a guy who was taken last year in the first round and shows some promise. I think with Cam, and I have thought about it, I mean, it’s something that’s run through my mind, and it’s about the situation and circumstances. I’m not sure I would do it. I’m not sure if I wouldn’t do it. It depends on circumstances.”

• A report from Les Carpenter of the Washington Post indicated there’s a growing sense the Redskins might name VP of player personnel Kyle Smith as general manager after his performance this offseason has seemingly pleased Rivera. 
• However, Rivera said team owner Daniel Snyder would be the one in charger of making that decision: “That’s really not up to me. That’s something that Mr. Snyder and I will talk about…[Snyder] has the ultimate say in the organization if it comes down to things like this. That’s a little bit above me.” (Kevin Sheehan)
• NBC Sports’ JP Finlay says that while the final say is up to Snyder, Rivera would obviously have a major input in the decision. 
• The Athletic’s Ben Standig clarifies the exact wording of Rivera’s response about the trade offers Washington fielded for LT Trent Williams at the trade deadline last year might mean they didn’t have a first-round pick on the table, quoting Rivera as saying: “I know this much. There was an opportunity from what I was told that last year just before the (October) trade deadline, he was worth a first-round pick. For whatever reason, the deal was never done.”
• Standig zeroes in on Rivera saying “worth” as something that would be consistent with the team’s stance but also with them not receiving an offer at that exact level. 
• Standig mentions the Redskins turned down an offer to move down in the fifth round from the Colts, staying put and taking Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden. 
• Despite making a show of having QB Tua Tagovailoa in for a pre-draft visit, Rivera said the Redskins had him fifth on their board and didn’t consider him at No. 2 overall. (Standig)