Lane Johnson’s impact on the Philadelphia Eagles offense is just unreal, a mind-bending 120-62-1 record when he’s out there compared to a paltry 18-27 when he’s sidelined over the last few years. Talk about a difference-maker! This dude isn’t just important, he’s the whole dang engine for Philly, and it shows why we’re breaking down the non-quarterback MVPs for the 2026 NFL season. Forget about QBs for a second; these are the guys who can absolutely change a team’s fortunes.
Philly’s Offensive Anchor and Dallas’ Defensive Destroyer
It’s simple with Johnson, right? The Eagles offense basically falls apart without him. They tried to get ahead, drafting Markel Bell as a successor, but let’s be real, a rookie switching sides of the line isn’t upholding Johnson’s standard. He might be the single most important player on that team, even with Jalen Hurts under center. Over in Dallas, the Cowboys are banking on defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to transform their defense. If their plan goes off without a hitch this year, Williams is the absolute key, wrecking games from the inside. Christian Parker’s Vic Fangio-style defense leans heavily on a penetrating defensive tackle, and Williams, one of the best two-way interior linemen in the league, is perfectly built for that role. That’s a huge boost if he lives up to it.
Game Changers For New York and Washington
Down the road, the New York Giants have an absolute beast in Abdul Carter coming off the edge. Last season, Carter didn’t have the “flashy” sack numbers of his teammate Brian Burns, but don’t sleep on this: Carter generated pressure at a higher rate, hitting a sack, hit, or hurry on 14.0% of his pass-rush snaps compared to Burns’ 12.1%. If he can just turn those pressures into more sacks this season than he did last year, he’s got a real shot at being one of the top edge rushers in the entire NFL. Then you’ve got the Washington Commanders, who went all-in this offseason, spending a ton of money and draft capital to overhaul their defense. Their biggest investment? Linebacker Sonny Styles. This guy is an absurdly athletic playmaker who does it all over the field. Dan Quinn’s defense needs him to range sideline to sideline, blitz, and cover backs and tight ends. Considering their defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, Styles has a massive amount of work on his plate.
Every one of these NFC East teams is pinning serious hopes on these non-quarterback talents. From Johnson’s veteran presence keeping Philly’s offense humming to Styles being the key to fixing one of the league’s worst defenses, these guys aren’t just filling roster spots. They’re the difference makers, the potential MVPs who will dictate how far their teams go in the 2026 season. It’s gonna be wild to see which of them truly grabs the reins.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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