The NFL playoffs are in full swing, however lots of you’re in all probability already occupied with the offseason.
Forward of the divisional-round video games, Yardbarker NFL writers provide a prediction in regards to the offseason for every NFC crew. (The regular-season document for every crew is in parentheses.)
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-10) | Dallas drafts a first-round operating again | The Cowboys selected to not draft a operating again in final yr’s draft and have been lucky to get a career-high 1,079 yards dashing from pending free agent Rico Dowdle in 2024. With little-used Deuce Vaughn because the crew’s solely RB signed for 2025, proprietor Jerry Jones received’t hesitate to pick out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 choose, particularly now that the previous standout at Frisco Lone Star Excessive College has said he wants to play for the Cowboys.
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-14) | The crew takes J.J. McCarthy in spite of everything | Had New York not signed QB Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160M contract extension in 2023, they could have drafted McCarthy, who went to the Vikings with the tenth choose in final yr’s draft. If the Vikings follow Sam Darnold, the NFL’s fifth-leading passer, Giants GM Joe Schoen will gladly take a mulligan by sending Minnesota the third total choose on this yr’s draft to get the younger QB, who had a 27-1 document as a starter at Michigan.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3) | HC Nick Sirianni will get a brand new deal | His juvenile antics could be exhausting to take for even die-hard Eagles fans, however it’s exhausting to argue with Sirianni’s 53-23 document (together with playoffs) as Philly head coach. His present contract runs by way of the 2025 season, however after a 14-win season and a franchise document 10-game profitable streak in 2024, proprietor Jeffrey Lurie will give his coach a minimum of three extra years and a considerable elevate over his roughly $6M annual wage.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (12-5) | Washington sweats over 2025 schedule | The upstart Commanders snuck up on the remainder of the NFL by making the playoffs in 2024, however they received’t discover issues really easy with the Chiefs, Lions and Vikings on the schedule in 2025. Collectively, Washington’s 2025 opponents had a .594 profitable proportion in 2024, with eight groups profitable double-digit video games and 4 profitable 14 or extra. — Bruce Ewing
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-9) | Cardinals commerce for WR Tyreek Hill | The Cardinals have the proper mixture of salary-cap house and stress to make large strikes to get the group again into the playoffs. One other playmaker for QB Kyler Murray would go a great distance towards doing that, and despite the fact that Hill and the Dolphins appear to have smoothed issues over following his “I’m out” comments, he may nonetheless in all probability be had in a commerce.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (10-7) | Rams signal CB D.J. Reed in free company | The Rams made appreciable investments in protection final offseason, however they lack within the secondary. They may use a big improve to separate themselves as an NFL contender. Reed was a vibrant spot on an in any other case unhealthy Jets crew and must be among the many greatest corners obtainable on the open market.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-11) | 49ers commerce WR Deebo Samuel | WR Brandon Aiyuk acquired his cash final yr, and QB Brock Purdy will doubtless get his this offseason. The 49ers will not be going to maintain all people, and with Samuel coming into the ultimate yr of his deal and beginning to present indicators of decline (670 yards receiving in 2024), the time is true for them to maneuver on.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-7) | Seahawks make large free-agent splash with heart Ryan Kelly | The Seahawks have wanted to improve the inside of their offensive line for years however have persistently fallen brief in doing so. It’s time for a critical funding within the center, and including Kelly, a four-time Professional Bowl participant with the Indianapolis Colts, to assist anchor the center of the road might be a big game-changer for the offense. — Adam Gretz
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (5-12) | Bears commerce as much as take two offensive linemen in first spherical | Chicago desperately must assemble an offensive line to guard QB Caleb Williams, the 2024 No. 1 choice. There is no higher approach to take action than by drafting two younger stars. The Bears can package deal their two early second-round picks (No. 39 and No. 41 total) with different issues to leap again into the primary spherical, presumably snagging LSU deal with Will Campbell and/or Alabama guard Tyler Booker.
DETROIT LIONS (15-2) | Lions commerce for CB Denzel Ward | With OC Ben Johnson doubtless securing a head-coaching gig this offseason, Detroit received’t be capable of rely as closely on elite offensive manufacturing to counter their weak protection. The Browns are coming into a full-blown rebuild and is likely to be prepared to half with Ward and his hefty $100.5M contract for a late first-round choose.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-6) | Packers commerce CB Jaire Alexander | Per NBC Sports’ Kelly Hallinan, Alexander declined to talk a lot with the media following Inexperienced Bay’s wild-card loss to the Eagles, noting he was uncertain if he would return to the crew in 2025. The 2-time second-team All-Professional cornerback can be in excessive demand on the commerce market, probably going for a number of second and third-round draft picks.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-3) | Vikings don’t re-sign QB Sam Darnold | Regardless of being in MVP discussions early within the season after main Minnesota to a 5-0 begin, Darnold struggled when it mattered most, throwing only one landing go over the ultimate two video games of the season, together with in an 18-point wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. With McCarthy getting back from damage in 2025, Darnold might have blown his ultimate alternative to retain Minnesota’s beginning gig. — Josh Eaton
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Purchase Raiders defensive finish Maxx Crosby | Atlanta should enhance its terrible go rush, however it could possibly’t look forward to a rookie to complete the job. As an alternative, the Falcons can be clever to commerce for Crosby, who has 59.5 sacks in his first six seasons.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-12) | Signal linebacker Zack Baun in free company | Carolina’s protection ended the season because the crew’s largest legal responsibility, and it wants a QB in the course of the sector to man the unit. Baun signed a one-year prove-it take care of the Eagles and have become a first-team All-Professional, making him the best choice to start a defensive turnaround.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-12) | Commerce down in 2025 NFL Draft | This is likely to be probably the most unrealistic NFC South prediction. Historical past means that GM Mickey Loomis is likely to be extra prone to commerce up from No. 9 total to pick out the fifth-best defensive finish, however he’ll obtain a proposal that’s too good to reject on draft day and purchase extra picks for New Orleans’ rebuild.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-7) | Invoice Belichick coaches the crew in 2025 | In December earlier than Belichick turned North Carolina’s head coach, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio discussed the potential retirement of head coach Todd Bowles and Tampa Bay hiring the six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach. Belichick has a $10M buyout with the Tar Heels, however that’s chump change for the Bucs, who may change into a official Tremendous Bowl risk by making the transfer. — Eric Smithling
