The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense basically falls apart whenever right tackle Lane Johnson is out of the lineup, and if you haven’t seen the numbers, you’re gonna want to sit down. Over the last several years, the Eagles have posted a stunning 120-62-1 record when Johnson is playing, but when he’s off the field, that record plummets to a dismal 18-27. That kind of swing is just wild, showing exactly why he’s not just a good player, but maybe the most important player on that team, even with Jalen Hurts under center.
NFC East Defensive Stars Stepping Up in a Big Way
It’s not all about the offense though, and a bunch of defensive studs are ready to make some serious noise across the NFC East. For the Dallas Cowboys, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is the absolute key to their defense showing significant improvement in 2026. He’s an interior wrecking ball, built perfectly for Christian Parker’s Vic Fangio-style defense, and he’s one of the best two-way interior linemen in the league. You know he’s gonna be a game-wrecker.
Down in New York, the Giants are looking to Abdul Carter to be their non-quarterback MVP. Carter didn’t put up the flashy sack numbers of Brian Burns last season, but here’s the kicker: Carter actually 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 turn those pressures into more sacks this season, he’s got a real shot to emerge as one of the NFL’s top edge rushers. And in Washington, the Commanders dropped serious cash and draft capital this offseason to overhaul their defense, with their biggest investment being linebacker Sonny Styles. This guy is an absurdly athletic linebacker who makes plays all over the field. Dan Quinn needs him to do everything: range sideline to sideline, blitz, cover backs and tight ends. Considering their defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, Styles has his work cut out for him, but the potential is through the roof.
The Lineman Who Holds It All Together and a Bears’ Breakout
Back to Philly, because that Lane Johnson stat is just impossible to ignore. His presence is the difference between a winning record and a losing one, plain and simple. Even with the Eagles drafting Markel Bell as a potential successor this year, it’s highly unlikely Bell, as a rookie switching sides of the line, will be able to uphold Johnson’s sky-high standard right away. This means Johnson’s health and performance are absolutely critical for Philly’s 2026 campaign. His impact is monumental, and it puts an incredible amount of pressure on that offensive line.
Shifting gears to the NFC North, the Chicago Bears saw tight end Colston Loveland prove his worth in his rookie season, showing he was absolutely deserving of that No. 10 overall pick in the draft. He had a fantastic year, and he’s poised to continue making a huge impact for them.
As we look ahead to the 2026 season, these are the non-quarterback MVPs who are ready to dominate their positions and fundamentally shape their teams’ success. Keep your eyes locked on these guys, because their performances will dictate a lot about how things shake out across the NFC.
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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