You could make the case entering the 2025 NFL season that the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders were the NFC's projected top three teams. Of course, this assumption was based on each team's 2024 season, capped off by the Eagles defeating the Commanders in the NFC Championship and then beating the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Last season's results are why you shouldn't pay too much attention to offseason hype. All three teams disappointed in 2025, but none more than the Commanders. After going 12-5 and reaching the NFC Championship for the first time in 33 years, the Commanders finished 5-12, capping off a remarkable three-year run that saw them go from four wins to 12 and back down to five.
Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champions won the NFC East again but had offensive issues all season. The offensive line wasn't as good in 2025, partly due to injuries. The scheme and play-calling were issues, and quarterback Jalen Hurts' passing game deficiencies proved more glaring without a dominant running game.
The Bucs had plenty of hype, too, with many considering them a slam dunk to win the NFC South. Instead, Tampa Bay finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs despite beating the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. The Buccaneers began the season 5-1, but beginning in Week 10, lost seven of eight games, ruining a once-promising season.
It's no surprise that changes were made for all three teams after a disappointing season. Washington replaced both coordinators, while the Bucs and Eagles fired their offensive coordinators. So, the 2026 offseason is a big one for all three franchises.
Nick Wright of Fox Sports recently ranked all 32 NFL teams into 12 tiers. The Commanders, Eagles, and Buccaneers were all in the "Anxious offseason" tier.
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Explanation: "That offseason will lead to an anxious regular season."
This is fair. After such a disappointing 2025 season, changes were made. And if those changes don't result in better results in 2026, all three head coaches could be in trouble. It's amazing to think Nick Sirianni could be on the hot seat less than two years after winning the Super Bowl, but most will acknowledge that Sirianni is no Bill Belichick, Don Shula, Joe Gibbs, or Sean McVay.
Bowles has enjoyed plenty of success with the Buccaneers, but he will be going on his fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons in 2026. Two of those coordinators were so good they landed head-coaching jobs, but Bowles fired the other two.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn replaced both of his coordinators with first-time coordinators, a risk he felt was worth taking.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: 'Anxious offseason' ahead for 3 NFC teams