Who is on the hottest seat in the NFC East? It could be a player, coach or front-office executive. See who our NFL Nation reporters select.
Todd Archer, ESPN Dallas Cowboys reporter: Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. Can we go by process of elimination when it comes to the coaches? Doug Pederson is coming off a Super Bowl season. Pat Shurmur is in his first year as head coach. That leaves Jay Gruden and Jason Garrett. If you’re talking players, there’s Eli Manning and a revamped offense. Dak Prescott, who needs a big season to get the big-time contract after 2018. Carson Wentz is coming back from a knee injury, but his seat isn’t hot even with what Nick Foles did last season. Manning is on the hot seat to a degree. I’m going with Garrett. He is entering his eighth season, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been remarkably patient. Garrett is signed through 2019, as are all but one assistant coach, so it’s a big year for the coaching staff. Garrett has been able to respond to this type of pressure season before. In 2014, he was in the final year of his deal and the Cowboys finished 12-4 and made it to the second round of the playoffs after three consecutive 8-8 finishes.
John Keim, ESPN Washington Redskins reporter: Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Both Jason Garrett and Jay Gruden will be sitting on hot seats if their teams don’t make the postseason. But there was no chatter about getting rid of them in the offseason. There was talk about whether the Giants should draft Manning’s successor, and a lot of wondering about what he had left. Manning must prove the Giants right for bypassing one of the top quarterbacks in the draft to stick with a 37-year-old coming off consecutive lackluster seasons (a combined 45 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions). New York's offense has been hit hard by injuries, particularly last season with receiver Odell Beckham Jr.. His return, as much as the addition of running back Saquon Barkley, will help Manning. But the veteran passer still has to show he can compete at a high level. If he doesn’t, and if quarterbacks New York bypassed do well, it’ll be a bad look for Manning and the Giants (unless backups Davis Webb or Kyle Lauletta emerge).
Tim McManus, ESPN Philadelphia Eagles reporter: Redskins president Bruce Allen. Washington has just one 10-win season since Allen took over as a top decision-maker in 2010, finishing last in the division in four of those eight seasons. The Redskins are coming off a 7-9 season and arguably downgraded at quarterback with the 34-year-old Alex Smith under center and Kirk Cousins now in Minnesota. Two playoff appearances and zero playoff victories over eight years is a tough pill to swallow for a rabid Washington fan base. The heat's gotta to rise to the top eventually.
Jordan Raanan, ESPN New York Giants reporter: Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. Eli Manning could qualify here because he’s 37 and the Giants could get out of his contract rather harmlessly if he struggles this season. But Manning has two Super Bowl titles, the organization loves him and just recommitted to him after changing coaches and general managers. Garrett doesn’t have two Super Bowl MVPs. In fact, entering his eighth full season as head coach and his résumé includes just two playoff appearances and one postseason win. How much more patient will Jerry Jones be if the Cowboys fail to make the postseason again? Probably not very. Pressure is on Garrett and the Boys this season. They have to produce or else that team is bound to be torn apart next offseason.