Three Most Improved NFC Teams of 2023 NFL Offseason
Analysis 5/5/23
The NFL offseason is all about improvement. Some teams are better at it than others, but every team gets an opportunity to improve its roster through free agency and the NFL Draft. The moves made in the offseason have a huge impact on which teams compete at the highest level in the regular season.
These are the three NFC teams I believe have made the most drastic improvements this offseason, which should allow each of them to compete with any team in the conference.
>>READ: Three Most Improved AFC Teams
3 Most Improved NFC Teams
 1. Philadelphia Eagles
Notable Additions | Notable Losses | 2023 Draft Picks |
QB Marcus Mariota | QB Gardner Minshew | DL Jalen Carter, Georgia |
RB Rashaad Penny | RB Miles Sanders | LB Nolan Smith, Georgia |
WR Olamide Zaccheaus | WR Zach Pascal | OT Tyler Steen, Alabama |
TE Dan Arnold | OT Andre Dillard | S Sydney Brown, Illinois |
Edge Kentavius Street | OG Isaac Seumalo | CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia |
LB Nicholas Morrow | Edge Robert Quinn | QB Tanner McKee, Stanford |
CB James Bradberry | DL Javon Hargrave | DL Moro Ojomo, Texas |
CB Darius Slay | DL Linval Joseph | |
CB Greedy Williams | DL Ndamukong Suh | |
S Terrell Edmunds | LB T.J. Edwards | |
S Justin Evans | LB Kyzir White | |
RB D'Andre Swift |
S C. Gardner-Johnson
|
|
S Marcus Epps | ||
P Brett Kern |
The rich got richer. The Philadelphia Eagles lost a lot this offseason, but they immediately replenished with key in-house signings. They re-signed Jason Kelce at center, convinced CB Darius Slay to sign an extension after he requested a trade and locked up QB Jalen Hurts for the long haul.
In the draft, they added players young players at key positions with first-rounders IDL Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith. Nobody could've expected the Eagles to replenish their team any better than they did this offseason.
On top of that, the running back room got better. They acquired RB D'Andre Swift from the Detroit Lions, giving them a shifty back to go alongside Kenneth Gainwell and Rashaad Penny.
We know what Swift can do running the football, but he can catch the football out of the backfield, adding a dynamic element to what the Eagles do offensively.
The Eagles re-signed key players, extended others and are now contenders to get back to the Super Bowl.
>> READ: Eagles' Fearless Approach Works
 2. Chicago Bears
Notable Additions | Notable Losses | 2023 Draft Picks |
QB PJ Walker | QB Tim Boyle | OT Darnel Wright, Tennessee |
RB D'Onta Foreman | QB Trevor Siemian | DL Gervon Dexter Sr., Florida |
RB Travis Homer | RB David Montgomery | CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami |
WR DJ Moore | WR N'Keal Harry |
DL Zacch Pickens, S. Carolina
|
TE Robert Tonyan | WR Byron Pringle | RB Roschon Johnson, Texas |
OG Nate Davis | TE Ryan Griffin | WR Tyler Scott, Cincinnati |
Edge Rasheem Green | OT Riley Reiff | LB Noah Sewell, Oregon |
Edge DeMarcus Walker | OG Michael Schofield | CB Terell Smith, Minnesota |
DT Andrew Billings | Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad |
DT Travis Bell, Kennesaw St.
|
LB Dylan Cole | DL Armon Watts |
CB Kendall Williamson, Stanford
|
LB Tremaine Edmunds | DL Angelo Blackson | |
LB T.J. Edwards | DL Mike Pennel | |
LB Matthew Adams | ||
LB Nicholas Morrow | ||
LB Joe Thomas | ||
S DeAndre Houston-Carson |
The Chicago Bears made a key decision prior to the draft, deciding to build the team around QB Justin Fields. When they traded out of having the No. 1 pick, it made a statement right out of the gate that the Bears was Fields' team.
Chicago addressed wide receiver, getting DJ Moore, who is a proven, No. 1 guy it can build the rest of that room with. Defensively, they added linebackers Tremaine Edmunds from the Buffalo Bills and T.J. Edwards from the Eagles. The Bears got deeper, younger and faster. They got players who have proven they can win.
The Bears lost a ton of close games last year. With the absence of Aaron Rodgers in the NFC North, the Bears have made drastic improvements, putting them in a good spot to compete in the NFC this season.
 3. Atlanta Falcons
Notable Additions | Notable Losses | 2023 Draft Picks |
QB Taylor Heinicke | QB Marcus Mariota | RB Bijan Robinon, Texas |
WR KhaDarel Hodge | WR Damiere Byrd |
OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
|
WR Mack Hollins | WR Olamide Zaccheaus |
Edge Zach Harrison, Ohio St.
|
WR Scott Miller | TE Anthony Firkser | CB Clark Phillips III, Utah |
TE Jonnu Smith | TE MyCole Pruitt |
S DeMarcco Hellams, Alabama
|
Edge Bud Dupree | OG Colby Gossett |
G Jovaughn Gwyn, S. Carolina
|
DL Calais Campbell | OG Elijah Wilkinson | |
DL David Onyemata | DL Abdullah Anderson | |
LB Kaden Elliss | DL Jaleel Johnson | |
CB Mike Hughes | LB Rashaan Evans | |
CB Jeff Okudah | CB Rashad Fenton | |
S Jessie Bates | CB Mike Ford | |
P Bradley Pinion | CB Casey Hayward | |
CB Isaiah Oliver | ||
S Erik Harris |
Most NFC South teams made drastic improvements at quarterback like the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.
However, the Atlanta Falcons are sticking with QB Desmond Ridder. He's a second-year player without much experience, but when the Falcons told Ridder "you're our guy," it allowed the team to commit to an offensive identity.
What is that identity? Running the football. The Falcons are going to be physical up front, which is likely part of why they signed IOL Chris Lindstrom to an extension and brought back OT Kaleb McGary this offseason.
Then, they drafted RB Bijan Robinson, who many believe was the draft's best back and could arguably become one of the draft's best overall players. He does everything you could ask for from a running back. Robinson is a dynamic runner and a factor in the passing game.
The Falcons improved defensively by trading for a guy like CB Jeff Okudah to pair with A.J. Terrell. When you look at this offensive-minded league, teams need players who can cover.
Adding safety Jessie Bates in free agency gives the Falcons a player who has proven he can make plays against the pass and play solid run defense. Bates, Okudah and Terrell give the Falcons two outside coverage options and over-the-top help against talented NFC South receivers. They added veteran presences in OLB Bud Dupree and IDL Calais Campbell, too.
The Falcons gave themselves a tremendous facelift this offseason. They could win the NFC South, and it will be because of the moves they made this offseason.
Greg Jennings is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the Packers, Vikings and Dolphins. A two-time Pro Bowl player, Jennings was a member of the Packers’ Super Bowl XLV championship team and is inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame. Follow him on Twitter @GregJennings.