NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

The Cowboys watched as their division rival Eagles survived what normally would have been a crushing injury to a starting quarterback when Carson Wentz went down in 2017 to an ACL injury. Wentz had been playing at an MVP-level before that, but his backup Nick Foles stepped in and guided Philadelphia to a Super Bowl win. The Cowboys have similar hopes and they signed QB Andy Dalton to play that role if anything were to happen to starting QB Dak Prescott. 

“To have a guy like Andy Dalton come in here — not unlike what Philly had with Nick Foles when Carson Wentz went down — to be able to take control and win games, win huge games for you if that’s what you need is really important,” Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “Certainly you can lay your head on the pillow better at night knowing you have someone like Andy Dalton.”

Jones added that the decision to sign Dalton has “no bearing” franchise QB Dak Prescott and they still expect to get a long-term deal done. 

“Obviously, it has no bearing on Dak. Dak is the quarterback of our franchise now, and for many years to come. We’ve gotta get his contract—we’ve gotta get over that hurdle. But we’ll do it, it’ll ultimately get done,” Jones said, per Ed Werder. 

Eagles

• According to Fox Sports 26’s Mark Berman, the Eagles are one of the teams that have expressed interest in free-agent DE Jadeveon Clowney.
• Philadelphia sportswriter Ray Didinger mentions RB Carlos Hyde as a free agent that would be a fit for the Eagles. (94 WIP)

Giants

• The Athletic’s Joe Person writes that despite the connection with GM Dave Gettleman, former Panthers QB Cam Newton likely isn’t an option for the Giants with QB Daniel Jones in the fold. 
• The Giants were the only team to put in a claim for QB Cooper Rush after he was waived by Dallas. New York inherits Rush’s $2.1 million salary in 2020 under the restricted free agent tender. (Art Stapleton)

Redskins

• While there’s no minicamp for teams to get an early look at rookies, NBC Sports’ JP Finlay outlines the questions members of the Redskins’ rookie class will need to answer when the pads come on, starting with third-round RB Antonio Gibson‘s route running. 
• Fourth-round WR Antonio Gandy-Golden needs to show he can hang with the step up in competition after playing collegiately at Liberty. 
• Fifth-round OT Saahdiq Charles has the talent to play and even start as a rookie, but Finlay says he must show he’s past the maturity issues that caused him to drop in the draft.