Ranking NFC teams after first wave of NFL free agency: Eagles on top despite losses, Lions, Commanders behind

CBS Sports | American Football | 03/21/2025

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A look at how each NFC team stands early in the 2025 offseason

By Jeff Kerr

The NFC belonged to the Philadelphia Eagles last season, as they rolled through the conference by winning 16 of their last 17 games en route to the Super Bowl. The Eagles weren’t viewed as the best team in the conference until the Detroit Lions were eliminated in the divisional round by the Washington Commanders, who were the biggest surprise in the league last season.

The Eagles lost several key defensive starters in free agency. Milton Williams, Darius Slay, Josh Sweat and C.J. Gardner-Johnson departed via free agency or trade, as Philadelphia is left to pick up the pieces of its championship roster.

There are teams waiting to pounce on Philadelphia’s losses. Washington and Detroit are both active in free agency, while the Los Angeles Rams avoided trading Matthew Stafford and kept the core intact by giving Stafford a contract extension.

Of course, the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings are also in the picture as playoff teams from last season. Then there’s whoever comes out of the NFC South (usually ends up being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers).

So where do things stand after the first week of 2025 free agency? Are the Eagles still the top dog or did someone knock them off their throne? Let’s rank all 16 teams in the NFC after the first wave of free agency has concluded.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Players added: G Kenyon Green, RB AJ Dillon, TE Harrison Bryant, EDGE Joshua Uche, CB Adoree Jackson, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, TE Kylen Granson
Players lost: DT Milton Williams, EDGE Josh Sweat, G Mekhi Becton, CB Darius Slay, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Oren Burks, CB Isaiah Rodgers, RB Kenneth Gainwell

The Eagles knew they were going to be gutted of talent from their Super Bowl championship roster in free agency, losing five starters over the past week. They have been adding players to one-year deals that are mostly depth moves, as there could be a major move coming to bolster the defense.

The core of the Eagles is still in place, including 10 of 11 starters on offense. The Eagles are also replacing Kellen Moore at offensive coordinator, but this team is still equipped to make another Super Bowl run. If Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and that offensive line stay healthy, the Eagles still are in the championship mix.