Everything Eagles fans need to know about NFL post-June 1 deadline

As the NFL's 32 franchises enjoy the next phase of the offseason, organized team activities, there is a minimal expectation that some mind-altering change will be seen on the Philadelphia Eagles roster. At least that's the case right now. DeAndre Hopkins' addition seems unlikely. That's good news for some of you and bad news for others. We all realize that, but the knowledge of such shifts our attention back to the calendar and the next date worth making note of, one that comes on Thursday, June 1st. Each year, we circle that day on calendars. More often than not, there are minimal fireworks if any.

The June 1st deadline is one every NFL team is aware of. In short, this is when we see teams accelerate future prorated money for players who are released. Those salaries fall into a pool known as 'dead money' (the portion of the team's salary structure that is being earned by guys who are no longer on the roster).

Beginning on Friday, June 2nd, released players will only have their current season’s prorated money count against the 2023 salary cap. The rest of their salary is deferred to 2024. Doing things this way allows the Eagles and the other 31 NFL franchises to move players with huge contracts that the team is trying to shed more easily. Most importantly, the players with the higher price tags can be released or traded without causing massive headaches and steep financial penalties.

We know what you are thinking. Yes, you're correct. What that means is, had the Arizona Cardinals waited until June 2nd to release DeAndre Hopkins, they could have split his $22 million cap charge into two payments of $11 million in 2023 and 2024. Instead, they'll take on the entire number this season.

Here's how the June 1st deadline affects the Philadelphia Eagles.

There's another nugget that's worth mentioning. The Eagles and other NFL teams that released players earlier in the offseason with a post-June 1 designation will see their salaries move from the active roster to the dead money side of the books. Philadelphia isn't expected to release or trade anyone on June 1st or June 2nd; however, there's still plenty to talk about now that we have all this in mind.

What will the Eagles do with Derek Barnett?

When thinking of a loaded Eagles roster, it's easy to forget about Derek Barnett sometimes. Yes, he's still on this team. A torn ACL suffered last season during the regular-season opener knocked him out for the remainder of the campaign, but if nothing changes between now and September, he'll be back in the lineup for his seventh NFL season.

He's a former first-round selection playing a position that every NFL team places a premium on. This is a contract season. He counts as $3.1 million versus the salary cap and as $10.6 million in dead cap money. Stay tuned.

Yes, Brandon Brooks is STILL on the payroll.

When you hear phrases like 'kicking the can down the road', keep Brandon Brooks in mind. Yes, he's still cashing those NFL checks. He retired following the 2021 season, and in 2023, he still counts as $9,797,237 on the Eagles' financial ledger in the dead salary cap space section.

Don't forget about Fletcher Cox.

Last offseason, the Eagles released Fletcher Cox on March 17th and re-signed him two days later to a one-year deal. His new salary was $14 million at the time, and that saved $5.3 million at the time.

This year on March 16th, he signed a one-year, $10 million deal. He counts as a $5.7 million cap hit this season, but thanks to that first release, he also represents $20 million in dead money if he is traded or released per Spotrac. No one should expect that he'll be released though.

He may not be what he once was, but he's still better than many players at his position, especially if he's used in a rotation. He also is charged with another task this season, leadership. He'll be asked to teach Jalen Carter and the rest of the young guys how to be professionals.

Might anyone be traded released unexpectedly?

It's still hard to imagine a scenario in which Derek Barnett is released, but one never knows. The more favorable option would be gaining something for his services. Keep those eyes peeled. If another team has to replace someone following an unexpected injury, he could be moved during training camp or the preseason.

Barnett hasn't become what the Eagles hoped he would, but he's a former first-rounder. Teams are always interested in pass rushers, and the Birds could gain some draft capital by moving him.

All of that could amount to nothing, or it could mean everything. Stay tuned. Keep your eyes on Quez Watkins too.

On the surface, it would appear that the latter doesn't have much trade value. Teams are more often than not always willing to give guys another shot. Coaches always think they can get something out of a guy that previous coaching staffs couldn't. Think about it this way. John Hightower is in L.A. with the Chargers, and many of you thought the Eagles wouldn't gain anything by trading Jalen Reagor. Remember that?