RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesUNITED STATES - CIRCA 2000: Ecstatic Giants fans leave no doubt about their feelings during National Football Conference Division Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium. The Giants triumphed, 20-10, and will take on the Minnesota Vikings for the championship next week. (Photo by Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
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NFL 2026 Training Camp and Preseason: What To Look For In NFC
It’s here…it’s here…NFL football 2026 finally is here. After the frenetic free agency period and the chaotic and somewhat surprising NFL Draft, we know it’s here because the players are finally on the field.
Sure, the training camp brings out the interviews where the players talk nice. But there are also the drills, the fights, and the nuances we attempt to glean from the practices. The pre-season
will display the second and thirds with a brief glimpse of the first teamers, but we can see schemes and get a glimpse of how new coaches and coordinators are going about their tasks.
It’s the second week of training camp and the start of preseason. Position battles and player watches are heating up. So, let’s get on with it and start with the current Super Bowl-dominant NFC division.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
The talk in Dallas is about their defense. This season, Christian Parker will take over the defense from last year’s defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (Parker having the distinction of being the third defensive coordinator in three years).
Last year’s defense allowed the most points per game (30.1), the third most total yards per game (377.0), while tying for the second fewest interceptions (6) and the fifth fewest sacks (35).
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Caleb Downs of Ohio State celebrates after being selected eleventh overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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So, this off-season is about the free agents and the first-rounders. Will first-rounder Malachi Lawrence beat out free agent acquisition Rashan Gary? Can PJ Locke take over for Malik Hooker? And what will Parker do with rookie Caleb Downs?
New York Giants
New head coach John Harbaugh, new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson are tasked with making the Giants relevant in a highly competitive division.
The wide receiver battle is the watch. The Giants currently have the following in the wide receiver room:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 23: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants scores a touchdown in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on November 23, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
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Malik Nab
Darius Slayton
Calvin Austin III
Darnell Mooney
Malachi Fields
Odell Beckham Jr.
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Braxton Berrios
Isaiah Hodgins
Something has gotta give.
Philadelphia Eagles
New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion takes over an offense that wallowed in the middle to the bottom of the pack in every offensive stat last season. The Eagles were 24th in total yards per game (311), 23rd in passing yards per game (192.8), 16th in rushing yards per game (118.2), and 19th in points per game (22.1). And their WR1 from last year is now in New England.
The watch is on as to how Mannion will navigate quarterback Jalen Hurts’ strengths with the receiving corps that currently consists of DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson and Hollywood Brown.
Washington Commanders
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 22: Stefon Diggs #1 of the Houston Texans warms up before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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The battle for WR2 begins. The Commanders signed Stefon Diggs to compete for WR2 with Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown.
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a stop during an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The only question is: will Aaron Donald play this season for the Rams? This is the watch of the preseason.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals played a highly competitive game against the Carolina Panthers in the HOF game. Even with a loaded running back room, the watch is on for Zonovan Knight and Corey Kiner.
Knight finished the game with 12 touches for 60 yards, while Kiner finished with 14 touches for 57 yards, two targets, and one touchdown. With Jeremiyah Love planted as RB1, Tyler Allgeier as RB2, and James Conner as RB3, the RB2 position is also a watch as Kiner and Knight fight for relevance.
San Francisco Niners
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Besides their head coach being in a horrific car accident, and the shadow of the electrical substation over their practice facility, and their top two defensive players coming off season-ending injuries last season, and Ricky Pearsall being out for the season, and yeah, Deebo Samuel is back, the Niners are “all good”, nothing to see here.
Seattle Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl Champions lost their offensive coordinator, Super Bowl MVP, outside linebacker Boye Mafe, and Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen in the secondary. To replace the Super Bowl MVP and hold a place for the injured Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks added Jadarian Price and drafted Emmanuel Wilson.
The preseason watch is not only who will be RB1 but also the status of a once-...
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