NFL free agency: Philadelphia Eagles must make decisions on 13 players

It really gets interesting this week as the Philadelphia Eagles have to make decisions on 13 players.

For the first time in history, the Philadelphia Eagles enter the off-season as the defending Super Bowl Champions. They’ve also never needed to make a decision on this many key players while cleaning up this much money just to get under the salary cap. The NFL‘s mandated a $177.2 million salary cap for 2018. That means the Eagles will need to clean up somewhere around $11 million.

That’s the most money of any team in the NFL, but no one thinks they can’t get it done.

Decisions will need to be made swiftly.

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The Eagles have already parted ways with veteran wide receiver Torrey Smith. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers for cornerback Daryl Worley. Prior to that, they sent a seventh-round draft choice and wide receiver Marcus Johnson to the Seattle Seahawks for defensive end Michael Bennett.

The NFL free agency period approaches.

There are currently 13 players on the Eagles’ roster who are set to become free agents. That includes running back Darren Sproles. Unfortunately, he may now be seen as expendable with the emergence of Corey Clement. Donnell Pumphrey is also waiting in the wings.

Then there’s fellow running backs Kenjon Barner and LeGarrette Blount, and safety Corey Graham. Don’t forget aabout defensive end Bryan Braman, linebackers Najee Goode and Dannell Ellerbe and offensive tackle Will Beatty.

It’s probably already become obvious to everybody that tight end Trey Burton and kicker Caleb Sturgis figure to be cap casualties, and defensive tackle Beau Allen is probably already out of the door as well. It appears he’ll have a few suitors including one of the Eagles biggest rivals. Philadelphia’s already stated their interest in keeping starting nickel cornerback Patrick Robinson, and they’re already working on a deal to keep him.

Nigel Bradham has been identified as the one player the Eagles can’t afford to lose. At least that’s what fans and writers are saying, but so far, that sentiment hasn’t been echoed by the Eagles’ front office. There’s been no talk of a Bradham extension, at least not publicly, but there’s still hope for fans off that idea.

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Expect some surprises.

Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman has proven he’s a whiz at managing the cap. If we haven’t learned anything else, we’ve learned the Eagles won’t sit idly during the free agency period. There’s a chance the more expensive contracts on the Eagles roster get restructured, left tackle Jason Peters and Mychal Kendricks for instance. Some of the more expensive guys on the Eagles roster get moved if they don’t. That includes cornerback Ronald Darby.

Whatever happens, we know something’s brewing, and we know it’s going to be interesting. Free agency is upon us, and a lot’s about to change.

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