Disappointment is a brutal reality in the NFL, even when hopes are flying high as the 2026 season kicks off. While every team is dreaming big, the cold, hard facts point to some serious letdowns for four NFC East squads, all due to specific, glaring issues that could sink their seasons before they even properly begin. The NFL season is officially HERE on September 2, 2026, and already, trouble is brewing across the NFC.
Dallas’s Pass Rush Woes and New York’s Coaching Conundrum
First up, let’s talk about the Dallas Cowboys, because their pass rush is looking like a major problem. Remember Micah Parsons? Yeah, they traded him a whole year ago, and their pass rush in 2025 wasn’t exactly something to write home about. Now, they did bring in some new blood with Rashan Gary, Von Miller, and Malachi Lawrence for 2026, but the big question remains: where’s that top-flight edge rusher? The guy who can definitively test tackles like Parsons used to? Without that consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, their defense, despite the additions, might not even break into “above-average” territory. That’s a huge red flag if they’re serious about competing.
Then there are the New York Giants. They made a big move at head coach, bringing in John Harbaugh to replace Brian Daboll, and you’d think that’s a positive, right? But what about the offensive staff they’ve put together? We’re talking Matt Nagy, Greg Roman, and Brian Callahan. Honestly, that’s not exactly a “murderer’s row” of offensive minds who are known for consistently putting players in a position to succeed. And to make things even more concerning, reports from camp said things were “a bit rocky.” If that disorganization carries over into the regular season, Giants fans could be in for a long, frustrating ride, regardless of the head coach.
Eagles’ Offensive Headaches and Commanders’ O-Line Nightmare
Over in Philadelphia, everyone’s hoping for a massive turnaround on offense after they swapped out Kevin Patullo for Sean Mannion. And yeah, it really couldn’t get much worse than it did last year, when things got ugly. But what if this new offense just doesn’t click like they expect? What if the supposed “upgrade” from Patullo to Mannion is completely overshadowed by the loss of their legendary offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland? And to add insult to injury, what if those ongoing offensive line injury issues aren’t actually fixed? Eagles fans might be dreaming of a huge leap forward, but the reality could be a much smaller, way more disappointing bump in performance than they’re hoping for.
And finally, let’s look at the Washington Commanders. Their offensive line situation is already a full-blown nightmare before the season even truly begins. Laremy Tunsil, a key piece, went down and is probably missing the *entire season*. That’s a brutal blow! They even had to sign D.J. Humphries just in case things don’t pan out with Brandon Coleman at left tackle. Look, if they can’t keep Jayden Daniels upright for the full season, protecting their QB is step one for any success, and right now, that looks like a massive uphill battle. Without a consistent pocket, this offense is going to struggle big time.
The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint, but these early red flags in the NFC East are more than just minor bumps. For these four teams, the challenges are fundamental, and if they don’t get them sorted out *fast*, their fan bases could be in for a truly disappointing 2026.
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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