NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said LB Leighton Vander Esch‘s broken collarbone was “just bad luck” and not an indication the third-year player is injury prone. He missed seven games last year and needed neck surgery this offseason: “No, I don’t think he’s injury-prone. I think he plays a tough, physical position. He’s going to have injuries that he deals with.”
• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes there are people around the NFL who wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cowboys let QB Dak Prescott walk in 2022 after he plays out two franchise tags. 
• Fowler says Prescott could also force Dallas’ hand by proving he is a potential top-five quarterback instead of just a very good one like the public perception around the league tends to rank him at. 
• Vander Esch had surgery on his broken collarbone and the procedure went well. The team is optimistic about his recovery and return from IR later this year. (Gehlken)

Eagles

The situation that took place between Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman and TE Zach Ertz was apparently not confrontational, but rather constructive. Eagles’ HC Doug Pederson was also apparently part of the conversation.

“Obviously, it’s been frustrating at times, it’s been difficult,” Ertz said via Mike Kaye of NJ.com. “I’ve said all along, I want to be here for the long run. I don’t know, for sure, if that feeling is mutual. But, I know I’m going to play this year like it is my last year.”

Pederson was critical of the Eagles’ rookie receivers, saying they were “just okay” and that WR DeSean Jackson would be a larger part of the offense going forward.

“Obviously, he’s a big part of the offense, but at the same time, we want to make that he’s a guy that’s healthy and fresh for us down the long haul here,” Pederson said, via Kaye. “And, I think, each week, I would expect his rep count to increase as we go.”

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes Ertz wants stronger guarantees and structure than what Chiefs TE Travis Kelce signed for, which complicated his negotiations with the team. 
• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye writes it doesn’t make a lot of sense to trade Ertz during the season unless the Eagles’ year just completely goes to hell like it did in Week 1. If and when Philadelphia does decide to trade Ertz, Kaye believes he’s probably worth about a second-round pick. 
• Kaye lists the Bears, Colts and Patriots as teams who could potentially be interested in Ertz. 

Giants

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes if Giants RB Saquon Barkley has a Christian McCaffrey-level year in 2020, the Giants will give him McCaffrey-level money next year, which could push $20 million a year. 
• Giants DT Dalvin Tomlinson won’t break the market but he’s the type of player New York could see as important to extend, per Fowler. 

Washington

• ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes Washington G Brandon Scherff is a candidate to be franchise-tagged again as Washington tries to figure out an extension for Scherff, which will likely be near the top of the market. 
• Fowler expects Washington and DT Jonathan Allen to make major progress on an extension next offseason given Allen will be entering his fifth-year option in 2021. 
• NBC Sports’ JP Finlay thinks Washington should try and offer a third-round pick to the Bears to get WR Allen Robinson, especially considering they have the cap space to acquire him and sign him to an extension.