During the 2026 offseason, several NFL teams made changes to their roster defensively. That was true for a majority of the NFC East. After a down year in 2025, the entire division is eager to bounce back in 2026. Arguably, the most important position defensively is linebacker/edge rusher. They disrupt the quarterback and wreak havoc on the field. Ahead of the upcoming season, who are the top NFC East Linebackers?
The Best NFC East Linebackers for 2026
5. Brian Burns, New York Giants
Linebacker is a deep position across the NFC East. A few teams have multiple Pro Bowl linebackers on their defense in 2026. That is true for the New York Giants. Veteran outside linebacker Brian Burns is set to enter his eighth professional season and third with New York. The Giants traded for Burns ahead of the 2024 season with the Carolina Panthers. They sent away a 2024 second-round and 2025 fourth-round pick for Burns.
In his first season with New York, the former first-round pick started all 17 games in 2024 and finished with 8.5 sacks. At the time of the trade, the Giants also signed Burns to a five-year, $150 million contract. Burns took his game to another level in 2025. His 16.5 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 31 quarterback hits were all new career highs.
Heading into 2026, the Giants would love for Burns to have another impactful season. Despite the defense as a whole letting the team down in 2025, Burns delivered on an individual level. Twice in seven professional seasons has the veteran linebacker finished with double-digit sacks. Can Burns make it back-to-back seasons with a strong year in 2026 for New York? On our list of the top NFC East Linebackers in 2026, Burns ranks fifth.
4. Rashan Gary, Dallas Cowboys
With the 12th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, the Green Bay Packers selected Rashan Gary out of Michigan. Over seven seasons, he’s racked up 46.5 sacks in 74 appearances for Green Bay. During the 2026 offseason, the Packers parted ways with Gary and traded him to the Cowboys. Dallas sent a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Packers.
Upon signing with the Cowboys, Gary was asked to take a pay cut. The veteran linebacker agreed to a new, revised contract. Gary is now on a two-year, $32 million deal. That included a $13.2 million signing bonus and $16 million guaranteed. On the Cowboys’ depth chart, Rashan Gary is listed as an outside linebacker. However, he’s primarily been an edge rusher for his career.
In 16 games played and 15 starts for the Packers in 2025, Gary finished with 7.5 sacks, 45 combined tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 20 quarterback hits. While Gary has never finished with double-digit sacks in his professional career, he’s been a starter the team can rely on. Dallas hopes Gary’s addition will improve their defense entering the 2026 season. Gary ranks fourth on our list for the top NFC East Linebackers.
3. Jonathan Greenard, Philadelphia Eagles
During the 2020 NFL draft, the Houston Texans selected Jonathan Greenard in the third round out of Florida. Greenard spent the first four seasons of his professional career with Houston. In free agency, Greenard signed with the Vikings. However, his time in Minnesota lasted just two years. In the 2026 NFL draft, the Eagles sent a 2026 third-round and 2027 third-round pick to the Vikings. Philadelphia acquired Greenard and a 2026 seventh-round pick in return.
Over six seasons in the NFL, Greenard has 38.0 career sacks. He’s done the majority of that damage since 2023. In his final season with the Texans, Greenard recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks. That was his 2023 campaign. Greenard signed with Minnesota ahead of the 2024 season, and he had another strong year with 12.0 sacks. Unfortunately, Greenard suffered a season-ending shoulder injury with the Vikings in 2025.
After back-to-back seasons with double-digit sacks, he had three in 2025. Upon the Eagles acquiring Greenard in the NFL Draft via a trade, the team invested in him long-term. They signed Greenard to a four-year, $100 million contract with $50 million guaranteed. Philadelphia is optimistic that Greenard can improve its pass rush for the upcoming season. The 29-year-old is third on our list for the top NFC East Linebackers for the 2026 season.
2. Tremaine Edmunds, New York Giants
The New York Giants completely rebuilt their linebacker core for the 2026 season. This offseason, they signed veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million deal. That included $23.7 million guaranteed and a $11 million signing bonus. Edmunds is set to enter his ninth professional season. He was the 16th overall pick by the Bills in the 2018 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech.
Buffalo was his home for five seasons before Edmunds spent three years with the Bears. As a free agent this offseason, the Giants invested in Edmunds’ services at linebacker. The 28-year-old is a traditional inside linebacker who fills up the stat sheet each week. Over eight seasons in the NFL, Edmunds has never finished with 102 or fewer combined tackles. His personal best was 121 as a rookie.
New York was one of the worst teams defending the run in 2025. They allowed 145.3 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry last season. Both worst or second-worst among all 32 teams. Edmunds adds a veteran presence to New York’s linebacker core. On our list of the top NFC East Linebackers, Edmunds ranks second. It’s worth mentioning the team drafted Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Edmunds and Reese could be a new dynamic linebacker pairing for the Giants.
1. Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
With a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints selected Zack Baun out of Wisconsin. Baun spent four seasons in New Orleans and was primarily a backup. He appeared in 62 games for the Saints and made 14 starts. The 29-year-old never finished with 30 or more combined tackles in any season with New Orleans.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the Eagles signed Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal. That included $34 million guaranteed and a $15.6 million signing bonus. Philadelphia would not be disappointed in the production it received from Baun in 2024. He started all 16 games he appeared in for the Eagles during the 2024 regular season. Baun finished the year with a career-high 151 combined tackles, 93 solo tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five forced fumbles.
Baun was a key member of the Eagles’ defense in 2024 and helped the team win the Super Bowl that year. For his incredible performance in 2024, Baun was named first-team All-Pro and received Pro Bowl honors. He followed that up with another Pro Bowl season in 2025. In an article by ESPN, Baun was ranked the fourth-best off-ball linebacker in the NFL. On our list of top NFC East Linebackers, Baun ranks number one.
Main Photo: [Kevin Jairaj] – Imagn Images
