2023 Eagles free-agent acquisitions that thankfully won't return next season

Rashaad Penny, running back

After letting a 2022 Pro Bowler, running back Miles Sanders, walk in free agency, Rashaad Penny was Philadelphia's first signing to replace him. He failed to win a starting job during training camp as trade acquisition D'Andre Swift and third-year tailback Kenneth Gainwell got most of the reps.

Penny ultimately had his least productive season in 2023. He appeared in just three games and rushed for a mere 33 yards on 11 carries. Philly's run game struggled as the year went on, so it seemed they could have easily turned to Penny for a jump start. They chose not to. This shows that there is no home for him with the Eagles in 2024. It would be wise to bet against his return.

Kevin Byard, safety

The Eagles brought in safety Kevin Byard via a trade with the Tennessee Titans in October. It seemed like a wise move at the time. After all, he's a two-time Pro Bowler who could have helped improve the struggling secondary. Unfortunately, nothing much came of the decision, and Philly's defense got worse as the year progressed.

In six games with Tennessee (and ten more with Philly, he finished the year with a career-high 122 tackles. He recorded an interception as well. Overall, Byard still appears to have a little left. It just may not be as much as we hoped for. Cutting him would save the Eagles $13.5 million. This team already is home to several high-paid players and will need to invest wisely in the future.