2 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles releasing Cre’Von LeBlanc is a mistake

2. The Philadelphia Eagles need insurance if something happens to ‘NRC’.

Nickell Robey-Coleman was the bonafide starting slot corner once he was signed this offseason. He’s a few years older than LeBlanc and will have to earn another contract. LeBlanc is just 26-years-old and was expected to be the backup at the nickel spot.

With the injury history at cornerback for the Birds, they could’ve relied on LeBlanc to be that defensive playmaker if anything happened to the starters. He would’ve had the opportunity to learn under one of the league’s most proven slot corners in Robey-Coleman. Schwartz also could’ve used Cre’Von as the second corner in dime formations and in certain sub-packages. Not to mention, he plays a good amount of snaps on special teams.

There was no severe cap hit on LeBlanc’s contract either. He was set to make just over one million this year. If for some odd reason he didn’t perform well, the Eagles could’ve let him walk in free agency in 2021. Instead, the front office has decided to stick with just four corners. While there are six safeties on the roster, none of them with the exception of Will Parks (who is out for four to six weeks) can play the nickel spot as well as LeBlanc.

There is a small chance that the Eagles will be able to open up a roster spot and re-sign him to a different deal if that is their plan. The best cornerback in the 2019 playoffs is not likely to be a free agent for very long.

This one is a head-scratcher for the Birds. It doesn’t add up. Considering all factors, – performance, contract, personality, roster spots – it doesn’t make any sense. It’s a big mistake by the front office. His confidence and energy in big moments are unmatched. ‘Strap’ is going to be missed greatly by this fanbase.