Eagles TE Brent Celek doesn’t plan on retiring this season
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek isn’t ready to hang up his cleats just yet.
The Philadelphia Eagles knew they had plenty of tough decisions to make this offseason. While some key contributors to the Super Bowl LII champions are set to walk into free agency, a few guys who are signed on for 2018 remain on the chopping block. One of those specific players just so happens to be Philadelphia fan favorite, Brent Celek.
There’s no denying that Celek has been beloved throughout his entire career on the Eagles. There is a reason why the guy has spent all 11 years of his NFL career in a midnight green Eagles uniform. And even throughout three coaching changes along with a General Manager swap at one point, Celek was never cut loose.
But 2018 just may be the year where the Eagles have to part ways with Celek. As sad as it seems, it just feels like it is time. A lot of insiders speculated that Celek might just make matters more comfortable for the organization and hang up his cleats for good. But according to NFL Insider Adam Caplan, Celek plans on returning next season.
The rumor:
For those asking about #Eagles TE Brent Celek: I'm told that he still wants to play. He's on the books for $4m this season (final year on contract). Team has 5 TEs under contract, but only 2 have them have played in a regular season game (Celek, Ertz) for the team.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 6, 2018
Celek is responsible for $5 Million on the cap for next season. Considering the Eagles need to clear up at least $9 Million to get under. Celek may be the obvious player to start release. While it is tough to get rid of the longest tenured Eagles’ player, Celek’s production just hasn’t really matched what he is getting paid in recent seasons.
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With a draft full of tight ends with similar blocking abilities to Celek, his age is what makes him the odd man out at this point. Even though Trey Burton is pretty much gone at this point, the Eagles need to make the right choice and cut ties with Celek as well. After all, it is just business. No matter what happens though, Celek will be remembered as one of the best tight ends to rock an Eagles uniform.